"You didn't give me a chance to offer an explanation," he said quietly. "I need to make something clear to you."

I looked at him, unable to speak.

"The other day, I meant to say that I won't marry you because I have to, but because I want to." He reached out and took me into his arms. "Lillian Pharaohs, will you marry me?" he asked softly.

"Are you trying to mock me?" I scowled at him. "You haven't humiliated me enough?"

"If the choice was mine, it would be the same." He looked into my eyes. "And say yes, because you love me, not because you have to. Let it be our decision."

I stared at him, confused. Was he proposing to me?

He didn't wait for a response. Pressing his lips against mine, he kissed me ardently. His kiss was sensual, and when he released me, I looked at him, finally understanding what he meant to say. Had I not argued with my mother and father for the same reason? Did I not tell them I wouldn't marry him out of obligation?

"Lily," he called softly to me.

The sound of his voice seized my soul, and I suddenly wanted him to love me.

Joey Childs is an educated man turned drug dealer. After losing the top drug dealer's money and drugs, Joey has no other decision but to flee New Orleans. He arrives in Kansas City, Kansas, where he grew up, and reunites with his two high school friends, David and Carl. David is a detective with the Kansas City Homicide Division, and Carl is a lawyer. Joey secretly maintains his lifestyle as a drug dealer, making a connection with an old acquaintance in Kansas City. Will Joey change his life before his friends discover his drug dealing or before he is killed?

" BrainChild: Visions of a Blind Poet" is a unique montage of poetry, songs, and artwork. " BrainChild" takes the reader on an emotional whirlwind. Alexander's relaxes style allows the reader to easily follow along, thus making " BrainChild: a " Must have" book!

Jonathan Roberts comes from a long line of naval officers. He has been groomed since birth to serve his country honorably, and as a Navy SEAL, he does not disappoint. Driven to succeed, he is assigned to the CIA in Afghanistan, where he accomplishes more than anyone could imagine.

He assumes an Arab name and poses as a Saudi so he can infiltrate Taliban territory to gather intelligence. Over the next three years, he earns two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, the Navy Cross, and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Even so, something is missing from his life. He has two affairs to fill the void: one with Sue Walker and another with Becky Simon.

Sue ends up getting married, but soon Jonathan hears Becky will be back in his life, working nearby. Is this a sign? Has he found a woman to love? Jonathan's destiny is unclear. He feels driven to serve his country, but he also dreams of being a husband and father. Is he destined to be with Becky, or is he destined to be married to his work, like so many Roberts men before him?

In a quiet corner of southwestern Connecticut, a secret sleeps. Now that those who would have been most affected by its disclosure are beyond hurt and embarrassment, a choice must be made-but it's not the only choice Joe Ingersoll must make.

Joe, the keeper of that secret, lives in a modest home in a quiet neighborhood, thanks to his clever selection of a small parcel of land bordered by a cemetery. Now sixty-four and retired from a career in public relations, he's turned his attention to new projects, including the compilation of a dictionary of idiomatic expressions and the creation of a series of children's books. He likes his neighbors-but secretly loves one of them. Joe longs to express his love, but he fears rejection.

At forty-six, Sally Stobbs is doing her best to rebuild her sanity, self-respect, and optimism following a painful divorce. Her friendship with Joe is on the verge of evolving into something more, and she must now choose to follow her instincts or allow the pain of a failed marriage to ruin her future. Joe awakens a new love in her, and she readily agrees to wait for him to commit-but something seems to be holding him back.

When he does reveal his secret to her, it only draws them closer. Sally insists on being by his side when he reveals his decision, his choice, to the young mother he has loved from afar.

Dee's young life was filled with challenges she was unprepared to face, but she did all she could to protect her little sister, Karla. Their mother, Lucy, did what she had to do to make ends meet-including selling her body to pay for her various addictions. The battered survivor of a lifelong war with drugs, abuse, and worthless men, Lucy also struggled with crippling mental illness.

Living in those conditions, with a mother who could barely care for herself, the girls barely understood that things like stability, responsibility, or hope even existed. But on those days when their grandmother Norveline cared for them, the girls knew a little peace and a little love. Miraculously, on the day when it all seemed to be too much to handle, Lucy reached out for the help that would save her fragile life. With the support of her therapist, she fought to regain control of her life and her tattered family.

Now stable, Lucy dreams of building a new life with the help of Natalie, a new friend who is also fighting familiar demons. Their friendship quite naturally blossoms into something beautiful and healing. Together, the two women and their four daughters form a healthy new family, and Dee and Karla finally know stability at home.

Finally feeling safe enough to be herself, Dee-now known as Deanna-begins to explore her own curiositi es. What will her life hold, now that she is free to soar?

Cherries Jubilee was created from an actual romantic rendezvous that took place on the Gulf coast of Texas. Years of laughing with girlfriends about the trials and tribulations of relationships with men were the inspiration of the novel. Personal experiences and her friends experiences such as trips, dates and Tricia's single years after 25 years of marriage, all played a part in every page of the book. Tricia's active imagination and personal spirit of adventure painted every page with life's journeys and encounters. Cherries Jubilee fulfills every woman's fantasy and dreams. The flights of imagining coupled with whimsy and desire flood every page. This is a novel to lose yourself in your wildest thoughts, imaginations and expectations. You won't be disappointed.

The Last Supper illustrates the definition of an Eat Greedy Girl. You will see that the definition applies to any mini, but how they apply it to themselves is totally different than each other. The Last Supper, illustrates four women with the same purpose going about it in different Eat Greedy Ways . Open this book and see which lady is the Eat Greediest to you, and by the way are you an Eat Greedy Girl?

The Windy City Hart Series is a trilogy full of love, suspense and intrigue. Their love stories will make you laugh, make you cry...and yes, they will make you believe in LOVE. In What A Hart Wants, sexy R&B singer and rising movie star, Derek Hart is too busy traipsing around the globe to settle down. That is until he comes face-to-face with his newly hired, breathtakingly beautiful. personal assistant. After being unemployed for nearly a year, single mother, Kaliya Hunter is thrilled to land the job of a lifetime. Conflicted about her feelings for her boss, she is determined to keep their relationship strictly business. Will Derek be able to convince her to become his leading lady, or will their burning desire for one another turn into just another sad love song?