Four girls, one mic, and lots of drama. When Mariposa (aka MC Patria) meets Ezekiel Matthews (aka MC EZ1) they quickly become best friends; together they have the best summer tossing lyrics and rhymes. After the summer ends, Mariposa realizes the only thing she really cares about—besides becoming the best emcee around—is getting Ezekiel to love her. Unfortunately, this realization comes at the same time Ezekiel gets a girlfriend—Jennifer Hoffman (aka J-Ho 5), an emcee with a huge buzz. When her school announces a talent show, Mariposa understands that this could be her last chance to impress Ezekiel. She decides to form a hip-hop crew—enter the world of the Sista Hood—MC Patria, Soul Siren, Pinay-1, and DJ Esa, all divas in their own way. While coming together isn't easy, they're forced to collaborate and their lives are changed forever.

Four girls, one mic, and lots of drama. When Mariposa (aka MC Patria) meets Ezekiel Matthews (aka MC EZ1) they quickly become best friends; together they have the best summer tossing lyrics and rhymes. After the summer ends, Mariposa realizes the only thing she really cares about—besides becoming the best emcee around—is getting Ezekiel to love her. Unfortunately, this realization comes at the same time Ezekiel gets a girlfriend—Jennifer Hoffman (aka J-Ho 5), an emcee with a huge buzz. When her school announces a talent show, Mariposa understands that this could be her last chance to impress Ezekiel. She decides to form a hip-hop crew—enter the world of the Sista Hood—MC Patria, Soul Siren, Pinay-1, and DJ Esa, all divas in their own way. While coming together isn't easy, they're forced to collaborate and their lives are changed forever.

Shameless by Leslie Esdaile: Single mother Della Mitchell is going to Victoria's Secret for the first time after a year of abstinence from shopping. . .and men. But now it's time to get her groove back on. Then she meets Byron Fulton, buying a "breakup" gift for his girlfriend. Things are cool, until the brother tries to put the moves on her. But there is more to this man than meets the eye, and he's not about to let Della slip through his fingers. Please, Baby, Please by Monica Jackson: Denise "Neecy" Ballard is in debt up to her neck, she's gained twenty-five pounds, and her car is about to be repossessed. Joseph Vaughn never forgot the beautiful Southern belle when he sold her the car, and for some reason he just can't leave her high and dry. So he decides to cure the luscious lady of her shopping addiction, especially if it means keeping her close. It Takes Two by Reon Laudat: Ramona Jackson has always had a weakness for cute shoes and Kadeem Smith. So when he comes back to town, it's all she can do not to fire up the charge card in a fit of nervous shopping jitters. Especially when he makes it clear that he wants to pick up right where they left off. . . Promises by Niqui Stanhope: Gilliam Asher is in a bind. In order to bring her grandmother back from death's door, she announces that she is engaged to be married. And it works! Nana recovers and now Gillian has to produce the happy groom-to-be. In times of crisis, a shopping session is the just the answer. And it's a scuffle over a fabulous black dress that leads her to meet a man who just might be "the One."

A New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller “50 Most Impactful Black Books of the Last 50 Years.” —Essence Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read The instant classic from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Life After Death brings the streets of New York to life in a powerful and utterly unforgettable novel. I came busting into the world during one of New York’s worst snowstorms, so my mother named me Winter. Ghetto-born, Winter is the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy, and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold Winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn’t want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top. Twenty-five years and over one million copies later, The Coldest Winter Ever is a bestseller and a national treasure, a classic handed down from one reading generation to the next. Whether you are reading it for the first time or have cherished it for years, you will never forget this Winter’s tale.

The “Sista’ Network"”is a term used to describe the relationships between and among professional African-American women which enable them to assist one another in learning the unwritten rules and protocols of various professions. In the context of higher education, the Sista' Network can help new African-American women faculty learn the rules to “the Tenure Game.” A qualitative inquiry into the lives and experiences of nine African-American women during various stages of the tenure process, this book partly explores general, practical considerations such as the tenure process; requirements for tenure; and negotiating the balance among teaching, research, service, and collegiality. Yet it delves further into the statistics of African-American women faculty in the academy; issues of isolation, mentoring, and networking; African-American women faculty and the tenure process; African-American feminist thought; and racism, sexism, and the politics of singularity. Also included are 12 guiding principles for new African-American women faculty members embarking upon the tenure process. Carefully weaving African-American feminist thought with the literature on academic tenure and minority along with stories of women faculty’s experiences in the academy, the author creates an effective and engaging account for minority women embarking on the tenure journey themselves.

From a fresh new voice with talent to burn comes this brash bitter sweet novel about Tracy Ellison, a young girl with knockout looks, slanted hazel eyes, tall hair, and attitude, as she comes of age during the hip-hop era. Motivated by the material life, Tracy, her friends, and the young men who will do anything to get next to them are plunged into a world of violence, gratuitous sex, and heartbreak. Slowly, Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality—as she evolves from a Flyy Girl into a woman. A captivating tale, written with fluid narrative and contemporary dialect, Flyy Girl captures the complete feel and sounds of the streets and is destined to become an urban classic.

In Griffth's second book in her trilogy about three African-American women who form "The Sassy Sistahood," Rochelle Gardner makes beautiful shoes for other people, but hides her own less-than-perfect toes. When she's faced with the growing affections of three different suitors, Rochelle turns to The Sassy Sistahood for support. Original.

"Winter Santiaga hit time served. Still stunning, still pretty, still bold, still loves her father more than any man in the world, still got her hustle and high fashion flow. She's eager to pay back her enemies, rebuild her father's empire, reset his crown, and ultimately to snatch Midnight back into her life no matter which bitch had him while she was locked up. But Winter is not the only one with revenge on her mind. Simone, Winter's young business partner and friend, is locked and loaded and Winter is her target. Will she blow Winter's head off? Can Winter dodge the bullets? Or will at least one bullet blast Winter into another world? Either way Winter is fearless. Hell is the same as any hood and certainly the Brooklyn hood she grew up in. That's what Winter thinks."--Provided by publisher.