"Three men. One woman. When danger and desire collide.
They thrive off the thrill of the chase, unapologetic in their pursuit to always hit their markwhen—or get their woman. Businessmen by day, hitmen by night, these frat brothers live, work, and kill together. They're dangerous, raw, and too ruthless for their best friend's little sister, who should be off-limits to them, especially with an enemy who is always circulating in their orbit. They could get her killed if they aren't careful. Yet, one by one, they each get sucked deeper into her intoxicating web as the morally gray lines begin to blur and they realize that the only way to move forward is to succumb to their desires . . . and share her.
Club owner Cruz Crowne is reckless in the streets and ruthless between the sheets. Santari Lake should be afraid of what he might do, but it's her curiosity about what he won't do that's driving her insane. He could ruin her with one touch, and make her laugh in the same breath, unraveling her piece by piece. Some men don't just steal your heart, they snatch your soul.
Contains mature themes."
"Every family has secrets. Even the families you least expect. Years ago, the leaders of two prominent families agreed on a treaty that would cloak the forbidden shadows of desire with darkness, hiding a romance that was never supposed to happen. An ultimate betrayal momentarily broke the organization apart. Now, the group has reformed with new rules, new values, and new ruthless ways of silencing their enemies.
In a world where decadence and decay merge seamlessly, the Crownes and Maddens must deal with the consequences of their illicit liaison as dark secrets and evil forces converge, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of their new reign over society. As the clock ticks towards an inevitable reckoning, some will succumb to the shadows that bind them, while others battle the treacherous path between desire and damnation.
Contains mature themes."
"When you've lost the person you love most, the only way to heal is to get retribution.
CREED
Everyone has some darkness lurking inside of them. The ability to convince themselves what's right is wrong, and what's wrong is right. All my life, I got great at hiding my demons. But you know what they say. Buried demons have a way of clawing themselves to the surface. For a man like me, those demons eventually became my only family.
Deep secrets and enemies piling up at my door left little room for anything else. Then she came along. A woman I never saw coming. But how can I live for anything when my soul remains so far from saving, the devil himself considers it home? Grief can force you to do unspeakable things and tragedy can make you unrecognizable, even to yourself. I guess for a man who used to find God, but now only sees the devil, inflicting revenge isn't a part of life. It's the entirety of it.
Contains mature themes."
"DUCHESS
I always wanted to have a big family. That's why I created my own. My husband is my heart. My mom is my ribs. My kids . . . They are the air I breathe. Without them, I'm not whole. Everyone has dark secrets, yet mine are the kind of life-altering skeletons that could threaten the very mission I've spent my entire life fighting. My children think they know my story, but they don't. Not all of it. Not the parts that would make them question everything they know in life. My constant has been my love for Stan and that's a truth I'll always share.
STANLEY
I would move heaven and earth for my family. Yet, for Duchess, I wouldn't hesitate to give my life and soul in exchange for her to continue to grow the Crowne legacy. She may have taken my last name, but she made it worth more than I ever could have imagined. Years ago, I vowed to spend eternity fighting by her side for missions close to our hearts. Our children think they know our story, but they don't. We had a life before them. One many aren't aware of. My love for Duchess has only gotten stronger, but now it seems the past has caught up with the present.
Contains mature themes."
"When you've seen the worst in life, can you ever find the good?
RYKER
Every family has a fixer. The person who is always expected to solve every problem. Even as a kid, I knew the role I had in my Crowne family would force me to live a life in solitude, surrounded by people, yet alone in many ways. After convincing myself that I was fine on my own, I finally found my person. A man buried so deep in my soul that it broke me a little inside every time we connected. As I was always reminded though, my role was to fix others. Not become the one who needs fixing.
SHADE
For her, I became a fixer. But my nature has always been to destroy. I promised myself I'd always be there for her, even after she pushed me away. But even I can't deny that if she lets me in again, there's no guarantee how it will turn out. I could be her salvation mind, body and soul. Or on the other hand, I may just be the final piece in her story that finally pushes her over the edge of darkness. She shouldn't want me . . . But she does. Who knows, maybe darkness is where we both belong.
Contains mature themes."
"Layla Payne
Tattoo artist, Ares Hood. He always had the kind of name that was meant for the bedroom. Yet, I wasn’t the type of woman to make it easy for a man. Some might call me a tease, but I like to think I’m just a fast learner when it comes to everything in life ... Except him. Ares and his crazy cousins have these naughty days they celebrate, so when I need his help, I’m almost convinced we can be more. As kids, I was infatuated with him. As young adults, I kind of loathed him. Now we’re grown and I’ve got little room for games, especially his kind.
Ares Hood
Interior designer, Layla Payne. Her last name should have been all the hint I needed. Keeping a complication like her in my life is bad for health ... And my rep. Funny thing is, I’ve always enjoyed a good chase, and there was none more elusive than Layla. She thinks she has me pegged, but she can’t handle the real me. As kids, I loved her. As young adults, I sort of hated her. Now we’re grown and I’ve got some confessions to get off of my chest.
The Hoods love celebrating, however, they don’t celebrate your average holidays. A kinky holiday is the only season they know and for these cousins, nothing naughty is off the table when they set their eyes on the right woman. Get ready! Naughty Season is upon us."
"After opening a cultural community center in the heart of Chicago, Porter Crowne is determined to make The Blackout Fest the best Juneteenth celebration yet. Especially when chosen as Mr. Black Chicago. Partnering with influential members of the community will ensure its success. However, if you aren't following the plan, you're in his way just like the curvy, feisty vlogger who argues with every suggestion he has.
Popular influencer, Alanna Raven, has had much success as a body positive educator. When she gets the call to join The Blackout Fest planning committee, she's all in. With a new strategic partnership on the line, she has one chance to shoot her shot. However, she has a deep secret. One that could threaten everything she's worked so hard for. And unfortunately, the one person who can help seal the deal is a man whose mind and body infuriates her more than it should."
"What place does fear have in falling in love?
HOLLIS
In my family, I wear a lot of different hats all centered around the same role. Comedian. Life of the party. The jokester. Everyone's favorite fool when I wasn't getting on their last nerve. But without me, my family wouldn't be the empire we are today. As one of the best hackers in the country, I'm the one that uncovers any secrets our enemies are hiding, no matter how big or small. My entire life, I've been able to hack my way ahead of any situation. Yet, somehow I didn't see her coming.
CECE
I hated him. Simple as that. I'm the queen of gore and guts, while this obnoxious, mouthpiece of a man, gags at the tiniest drop of blood. Everyone thinks he's hilarious, but I'm not so easily amused. I wasn't born to be a killer, but my circumstances made me this way. Men made me this way. So I turned myself into someone to be feared. For immature jerks like Hollis Crowne, I'd always be the siren in their dreams, lulling them to sleep while ultimately plotting their doom. But deep down, I wonder if he's the siren of mine.
Contains mature themes."
"Ever wonder if revealing your secrets will be the missing piece to finding your soulmate?
KEATON
They say I'm one of the good ones, whatever that means. While most of my family work against the law, I work for it . . . somewhat. Being a Crowne comes with certain responsibilities, but it's hard to shine when people expect you to be brilliant all the time. To have all the answers regardless of the questions. Yet, even I have secrets. I'm a lawyer by day, but at night, that's when I come alive. That's when everything makes sense.
VOSHON
My world was built on lies and secrets, eating away at the good parts of me. When knowing too much incriminating information could get you killed, your only choices are to adapt or die. There are things about me others would never understand. Yet, one knowing look from her and I realize that my world just got more complicated. She could be my sanctuary in more ways than one. Or she might just be the siren leading to my demise.
Contains mature themes."
"In a society of unpredictability, greed, and crime, several individuals were thrust into a world of money, sex, and power after they were adopted by an affluent Chicago couple. However, what seems too good to be true usually is. Can they trust their allies and defend the Crowne legacy?
Him: She walked into the room like she owned it, demanding that I pay attention before she even voiced a word. When faced with the brown beauty, I almost forgot my number one rule: trust no one. It's something I remind myself daily. We all have an addiction and if I'm not careful, she'll become mine. I can't afford any distractions right now, especially when my latest obsession has secrets that can do more harm than good.
Her: He has every reason to be uncertain about me and yet, I can't help but be drawn to him in every way. How he speaks. The way he walks. The fact that all eyes are on him when he's in their presence. I can't recall a time in my life when I wasn't running from something, and not always by choice. I don't want to crave him like plenty of women already do. He's a Crowne. We'd never work. So why can't I seem to remember that fact whenever I'm near him?
Contains mature themes."
"Ever experience lust at first sight and know the person is wrong for you in every way?
HIM
My demons are mine to slay. My burdens are mine to carry. I've never been a knight in shining armor. More like a savage in dusty timbs condemned to spend my existence taking lives. Therefore, the last thing I want to do is save hers even if my family dictates I'm the best man for the job. Then again, only God judges who goes to heaven and hell and maybe this could tip the scale in my favor. But could giving into temptation erase this good deed? She is a vixen after all, testing my patience and my will.
HER
He doesn't think I deserve his help and honestly, I don't blame him. He doesn't like that I'm not from his world and truthfully, he's right. He's the only Crowne I didn't want to help me and yet, he's exactly who I got. While his eyes may seem murderous, there's something else there too. Something he doesn't want me to see. He's warned me to leave him alone and I listen . . . Until I don't.
Contains mature themes."
"Ever meet a beautiful soul and know that your life has been changed from that encounter?
A rose amongst the thorns. That's what Creed always referred to me as. We were never supposed to be together. Him and me. Us. My life was cut too short. I wasn't finished leaving my mark. You think you know my story, but everyone has secrets.
Contains mature themes."
