Coming from a place of internal uncertainty, Vontress Ortega has opened the gateway of self-love through her book Affirmed Queen: A Book of Affirmations for a Woman in Healing. Learning to love herself despite the naysayers of the world, self-doubt, and negative inner demons we all face at one point or another, she fought with everything she had to stand above ground and take control of her inner peace through the use of positive affirmations. Positive affirmations can be used to...

Take a seat as Autumn Rose introduces you to Egypt, a beautiful young woman with a lot going for herself. Most importantly, she is the longtime girlfriend of famous rapper J-Money aka Jamie. On the outside, things between the couple look picture-perfect. Every woman wishes they could be in her shoes, and every man wants Egypt for themselves, but they have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. Out of the media’s presence, Egypt suffers mental and emotional abuse at the hands of J-Money...

Sometimes, looking out for yourself leads to the ultimate betrayal. Starting in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Betrayal in the City is the beginning of an urban soap opera, chronicling the lives of successful airport owners—Karter and Khristian Taylor. On the outside looking in, Karter appears to have it all. He’s married to his high school sweetheart Savannah and has two young sons…who don’t belong to her. Savannah appreciates the comfy lifestyle that Karter’s success provides, but...

Wait, why is this writing a book to brand your business thing so important? Good branding increases the value of your company, provides you with direction and motivation, and makes acquiring new customers easier. As an entrepreneur, writing and publishing a book can be another accomplishment to add to your list of achievements, but it’s also much more than that; it’s a powerful act of brand-building. Did you know that 85% of Americans in business say that they want to write a book, but only...

Don Crip was recently released from prison with nothing but a chip on his shoulder. All he longed for was to find his baby mother and to make things right again, but, there’s one problem…she’s now married! His best friend, Pierre, is the total opposite. Though he is in love with his on-again off-again girlfriend, Malaysia, he can’t seem to keep his hands off of her friends. Being that Malaysia is married with three kids, you would think that it would be easy for him to walk away, but it’s not...

What happens when the Glamorous Life isn't so pretty? Calil "Cash" Washington gave up his dreams of doing music to settle down with his longtime girlfriend Nadia (Last Name). After being unfaithful and being caught up in his fame, he refocuses his energy on being a better man for her, but after getting a 9-5, he quickly realizes that the square life is just not for him. Music is in his blood. There was no denying it, but Nadia wasn't ready to let him go again until she realized that she had...

Infidelity separated them, but will time apart force them to finally grow up? Kelsey and O’Shea have loved one another for…forever, and it seemed as though they had the kind of love that would withstand the test of time. O’Shea had plans on making Kelsey his wife once the time was right, but when she decides to postpone getting married and starting a family to further her education, he feels as though he is no longer a priority in her life. And in one moment of weakness...

Reagan Taylor’s life as a basketball wife isn’t as perfect as she expected. After enduring an abusive relationship for over seven years, she meets the man of her dreams. Her eyes are finally opened to true love for the first time, but will it last? Jewel Sanchez, a self-made d-boy, hustles every day to provide himself with the life he has been accustomed to since birth. As lieutenant of the M.A.C. Boys, Jewel makes sure he keeps his money close and soon his enemies closer. Robyn Johnson...

After almost losing his life, Jewel Sanchez vowed to get out of the game for the sake of his family, but after his son and girlfriend are kidnapped, he soon feels like the streets are not ready to let him go. Jewel seeks revenge against those who he once called brothers, but when the M.A.C. Boys are targeted by rival clique GMB, will they be strong enough together to survive?

Jewel Sanchez tried to remain the strength for all those around him, but after losing his mentor Golden Smith, he soon finds his weakness. Targeted by the Sacramento PD and rival gang GMB, he struggles to keep his head up in the midst of his divided brothers. When Jewel’s worst nightmare comes true, will he be able to lead the M.A.C. Boys out of darkness? Or will those closest to him be consumed?

Jewel Sanchez and Reagan Taylor had been to hell and back trying to keep their relationship together. After infidelity, murder, and the loss of his best friend, Jewel wasn’t willing to lose her too. Ready to put the past behind them, he decided that he was ready to spend the rest of his life with Reagan, and with his decision to finally step down from the M.A.C. Boys confirmed, he prayed that things would somehow become normal again. After Pop’s funeral, he realized he had nothing else to...

Just when you think you know who to trust, the tables are turned. At only 15, Jewel Sanchez unknowingly dedicated himself to the streets when he left home and joined the M.A.C. Boys. As the years went on, he learned what it meant to lose those closest to him, but in the process, he gained so much more—making him a target to many. With Jewel back in charge and his boys Sacario and Hassan by his side, he is ready to take on the world more determined than ever, that is until...

Jewel and Reagan’s relationship is put to the test when Reagan does the unthinkable in an effort to save her man. As Jewel’s past continues to haunt him, he refuses to see people for who they truly are until it is too late. After those closest to him try and stab him in the back, he realizes that, sometimes, family isn’t everything. Ready to let go of what was and finally move into the future his way, Jewel promises to take everyone who stays loyal to him to the promise land…but will it last?

Jhené Pierce, a young and sexy, business-savvy, social media vixen, thrives in the spotlight. Receiving everything she’s ever wanted from the love of her life Dre, she is floating on air…until, one night, her world comes crashing down all around her. After losing her high school sweetheart in the worst way possible, she doesn’t think that she will ever be able to love again. Her heart is closed off to the idea, and she’s completely comfortable allowing her bag to keep her warm. That is until..

With life taking a huge turn, Jhené finds herself needing Kai more than ever. Ready to finally put the demons in Kai’s life to rest, Jhené is ready to settle down and make it official…but it won’t be that easy. Not one for the games, Kai is unsure if Jhené is truly the right woman for him, even though he vows to take care of his responsibilities. Will Jhené be able to prove her love to Kai, or will they be forced to go their separate ways?

Tony Jones was bred into a life that he could not control. He vowed to walk in the steps of his father to keep his family accustomed to the life they used to have, but no matter how hard he tried, he would never be Anthony Jones, Sr. After serving over ten years in prison, Anthony planned to rebuild his empire with his two sons by his side, but Tony had other plans. With the opportunity of a lifetime in clear view, Tony finally found his path in life outside of Anthony’s shadows...

Love is blind, and it will take over your mind… Jaleiya Montgomery’s life has been anything but easy. With a mother who wished she was never born and no other real family to lean on, she found solace in her high school sweetheart Jamel Jones. Tired of feeling like she wasn’t good enough, Jaleiya was ready to end it all, but Jamel showed her that she had every reason to live. He became her safe-haven, but as the years passed, Jamel changed into a complete stranger, leaving Jaleiya to...

In part 2 of He’s Got a Hold on Me, Jaleiya is finally done with the drama and trying to move on with her life. After being heartlessly shot by the only man she ever loved, she is learning to love herself again. In the midst of all the drama, Noah never left her side—creating a bond that no one could break. It doesn’t take long before Jaleiya begins to feel like she is living a dream that she never wants to wake up from. She’s got the perfect man and finally got all of the toxic people...

London Robertson had always been treated like a queen on a throne by her father Marcus, who was one of the biggest pimps in Oakland, California. Besides the occasional bullshit she had to put up with due to her mother’s lifestyle choice, life, for her, was great. She lived in a huge mansion, was going to be 18 soon, and had everything she had ever wanted until the relationship with her father took a turn for the worse…sending her running into the arms of...

Rebecca is a beautiful black woman thriving in the world of publishing and YouTube. She thinks she's found the man of her dreams, Nasir, a successful owner of a real estate firm, until the unthinkable happens. Now, Rebecca is left wondering how her world was turned upside down in less than 24 hours. Not only did she lose the man of her dreams, but she may have lost him to the first woman he ever loved. Find out what happens when one betrayal decides to...

Out with the old, in with the new…maybe, we should just be friends too. In Let’s Be Friends…Again, relationships are tested, trust is broken, and unlikely bonds are formed. After a breakup with whom she thought was the love of her life, Rebecca sees that the grass is truly greener on the other side. She found unconditional love with Brandon, has a new office at work, and her bag is constantly growing. But, when Rebecca finds out through the grapevine that Nasir has a...

Love is patient, love is kind, love makes you feel good…that can’t be said for Porsha Johnson and her fiancé Dean Alexander though. While their relationship has hit a rough patch, Porsha seems to be the only one trying to make it work. Dean’s behavior towards her has taken a turn for the worst, and she’s doing everything in her power to get them back to the way they used to be. However, nothing seems to be working, and she’s beginning to...

Your favorite couple is back in Part Two of One Man’s Trash. Porsha is as happy as she can be with the man of her dreams, and Rico feels the same way. Everything seems to be going good for the couple, but trouble is always lurking around the corner. As they fight trials and tribulations to walk down the aisle, loyalty will be tested, and blood will be shed. Through it all, Porsha prays that nothing or no one takes her man away. They say money talks, and that’s the motto Rico lives by...

Rose Petals Under a Reaper’s Robe is a collection of poems inspired by Vontress Ortega. She has brought her artistry to life in a bare reflection of her own experiences, good and bad, in hopes to encourage self-awareness, acceptance, and the overall courage to not be afraid to look in the mirror. Take a look under a Reaper’s Robe to shed light on your own petals and watch as they bloom.

In this second installment, Vontress has now unveiled the petals under the Reaper’s robe. In this collection of poetry, she allows you to view parts of her heart she’s never shared before…touching on subjects of love, loss, and betrayal. Unveiled allows her to close old chapters and open new doors of healing, love, and light while passing on the courage to others to leave the things that haunt them behind.

Branding is essential in today’s professional world, and your brand determines the identity and success of your business. In Shade Built My Empire, Stevie Boi shares his inspirational story of how $20, determination, hardwork, and fearlessness skyrocketed his brand to the top. From shade to paid, he discusses the experiences he’s had in the fashion industry, how he built his business from the ground up, as well as the failures he’s had to endure along the way.

Fashion icon Stevie Boi shows you another side of Steven Strawder—a dope-ass chef. Having the privilege of traveling the world ever since he was young, living in other countries gave Stevie Boi the inspiration to try new things and challenge his palate along the way. Welcome to International Soul!

Because of the recession, Diana, Alori’s mother is unable to find work after being injured on the job. Finding a way to deal with the pain, Diana turns away from her children and instead turns to prescription drugs. Forced to support the addiction that her mother develops, Alori agrees to strip for money at club Black Diamond. The money was enough until her brothers and sisters are taken away from her mother and placed into custody by Child Protective Services. Not in a position to take care...

All Tamara Wright had in this world was her family…that was until she met Snake. Tired of her mother’s rigid rules, she grew hungry for her freedom when she finally noticed the world that was all around her. Throwing caution to the wind, Tamara runs right into the arms of her awaiting lover and soon finds out that everything that glitters with Snake is not gold once he’s taken away from her for good. Caught up in the flashing lights and fast life, Tamara finds herself…

No one ever said growing was easy. Burying seeds through poetry, short stories, and affirmations, Tainted Soil proves how planting seeds in damaged souls can grow strength and build character in the midst of sorrows, joys, and even pain.

The Diary of She is for the woman who has been shattered to pieces and told she couldn’t be fixed, for the woman who almost gave up on life because she felt like there was no place for her in this world, for the woman who had enough of being treated like she was less than, and for the woman who loved others more than herself. The Diary of She is a collection of poems that represent all the women who have struggled to find themselves...

In “The Diary of She 2,” Sydney Reneè uses her poetry and affirmations to paint a picture of the changes she’s endured in love, friendships, motherhood, and within herself. Everything she’s been through has turned her into the strong and honest woman she is today as she continues to evolve no matter the setbacks she may face. With this Diary, Sydney hopes to continue to empower women, inspire them to be themselves, and to let them know that it’s okay to be hurt because there will always be...

Back in the day, learning grammar was one of the most boring things ever, but not anymore! The Dope Grammar Guide’s design and innovative approach will make it the perfect reference for writers of all levels who struggle to remember the difference between a preposition and pronoun from time-to-time. As a writer, understanding basic grammar rules is essential for communicating effectively, but sometimes, it’s hard to apply them to the real world. In order to solve this...

The game has come a long way from just nickel-and-diming. Felicia Harris has it all—a great career, her own home, a loving fiancé, and friends who are always down to ride. As the head of her company’s IT department, to say that she is obsessed with technology would be an understatement. Her life had always been surrounded by technology, and she wouldn’t’ve had it any other way. Ever since she was a teen, things like coding and hacking came naturally to her. So, once she learned the true...

Due to a broken heart, Trina Mitchell became an opportunist in every sense of the word. It was always "Fuck niggas, get money", but when she meets Jonah Lee, leader of the Rich Gang, she falls head over heels in love with his fat pockets and endless influence. Jonah was a pillar for all those around him, but he poisoned the same community he tried so desperately to save, and Trina never saw his vision until it was too late. After a tragic loss for the Rich Gang, she unsuspectingly replaces...

After meeting Cortez Hayes in college, Katrina Leighton felt like she had finally met her prince charming, but it didn’t take long to realize that he wasn’t so charming after all. Breaking hearts and crushing dreams along the way, Cortez struggles to commit to his girlfriend, baby mama, and side chick. Between the fights and busted out windows, Katrina is ready to throw in the towel, but Tez is not ready to let go…even if it kills her.

Jasmine Young was head over heels in love with her boyfriend of four years, Tarrell Coleman—or so she thought until she caught him in bed with another woman in the home they shared together. Finally finding the nerve to take her independence back, Jasmine decides to get a place of her own with her best friend Chantae to get away from all the drama. Over the course of trying to get over Tarrell, Jasmine quickly develops a friendship with June Robertson. The two connect instantly, and after...

Crystal Davenport, a Marketing Manager, tired of her boring everyday life, decides to risk it all for one night of passion. But, after coming to her senses, she quickly realizes that the fast-life is not for her…that is, until she runs into her mystery guy, Cameron Johnson, a very wealthy and powerful tech exec. Cameron is quick to sweep her Crystal off her feet, but makes sure that she doesn’t get too close. With secrets of her own, Crystal finds herself in a love triangle from hell…