A little over twenty years ago, four exceptional young Black women came together to form a plan…
The idea was to completely change the way political figures think. To exert control with intellectual prowess and strategy born of objective manipulation. To remove emotion and do whatever it took without remorse. But also without the white man’s influence. They figured that moral superiority was useless in a government built upon the backs of slaves and murder.
“Black Women have always been better. We’ve had to be in order to survive. To defeat a monster, we have to become a bigger one. So, maybe it’s time we stopped trying to be right, and just started trying to win, no matter what it takes…”
Each woman had a role:
Hacker/Investigator
Monetary Acquisitions
The Candidate/The Face
And the political mastermind behind it all. The woman responsible for every strategic decision.
Angela Kelly is a lot of things in this dynamic. The second youngest cousin, an older sister, and the moral center of the group. She does everything by the book. No rules broken unless absolutely necessary.
So, when the president needs a new VP, she finds the perfect man for the job. He’s not perfect because of all the things he is (Attractive, Intelligent, & Black), but rather all the things he can be for the Kelly Administration.
The problem?
He’s single, irreverent, and has no interest in cleaning up his image for the job. The only thing he is interested in… is Angela Kelly, the Chief of Staff.
However, his position makes him off limits to her, lest she desires to complicate things for everyone, and Angela has absolutely no intentions of starting to break the rules now. So, how long can she stick to her convictions when she’s forced to work with her greatest temptation every single day?
And will it spell disaster for them when she finally gives in?
This is the second book in The Cutthroat Capitol series.
A little over twenty years ago, four exceptional young Black women came together to form a plan…
The idea was to completely change the way political figures think. To exert control with intellectual prowess and strategy born of objective manipulation. To remove emotion and do whatever it took without remorse. But also without the white man’s influence. They figured that moral superiority was useless in a government built upon the backs of slaves and murder.
“Black Women have always been better. We’ve had to be in order to survive. To defeat a monster, we have to become a bigger one. So, maybe it’s time we stopped trying to be right, and just started trying to win, no matter what it takes…”
Each woman had a role:
Hacker/Investigator
Monetary Acquisitions
Political Strategist
And the face pretty enough to distract the general public with a perfect smile, while the real work was being done behind the scenes. The candidate, born a prodigy and ruthless weapon honed to manipulate and seduce.
But she needed a husband. A First Gentleman. And, under pure happenstance, Vaughn Harrison all but fell into her lap at the perfect time. However, while our candidate desired a ‘mutually beneficial arrangement’, Vaughn wanted to be her everything.
So, we have a bit of a dilemma, I’d say. But I’m sure marriage could fix all that, right?
No? Well, I’d beg to differ…
This is how The United States of America elected its first African American female President… how The Kelly Cousins stole one of the greatest countries in the world… and how Anita Kelly became Madam President Anita Harrison-Kelly.
It all started with a Haunted House attraction that simply got a bit too... real.
My best friend seems to have found his soulmate on a new dating app. I’m just here in case she turns out to be crazy. Funnily enough… so is he?
Apparently, I don’t corner the market on overprotectiveness. Which is fine. But must he be overprotective right where I’m trying to be overprotective? Does the man not know what personal space is? Who invited him to my table, and why is he so comfortable annoying me, a perfect stranger?
His sister is here to meet my best friend. And I don’t trust neither one of ‘em. So, I’ve got my eye on them both. And before you ask, no he’s not cute. And no, I’m not attracted to him. He’s a nuisance with a blinding smile that won’t leave me alone to hover over my friend in peace! If he so much as touches my plate, I’m flipping this whole Baskin Robbins table over, you hear me? Ice cream will paint the walls, and so will his screams of anguish. I don’t play about my food…
This is a short story about the very... interesting way Xavier Baker and Nivea Dunks first met.
He hates the media. She IS the media.
April Thomas is a journalist specializing in music at The Topic, an up and coming magazine. They've secured the interview of the decade... Hip Hop/R&B artist, Boston Scott. But the only sparks that fly between the two when they meet are filled with animosity and irritation. Somehow, they still manage to get the interview completed. Even if it took some serious effort to sit in the same room with each other calmly.
And this would be great news for them both, if the magazine wasn't branching off into new ventures. The Topic is moving on to video production. Which could mean a huge promotion for April. And guess who their first documentary is going to feature...
April and the film crew will be following the Spotlight Tour, giving the masses a look at the superstar in his natural element on stage. He may hate to admit it, but Boston needs this almost as much as April does. And they have to put their hatred towards each other to the side and work together once more.
What neither of them saw coming was the connection and attraction that'd be waiting for them once they did. However, the band is full of comical and outrageous friends without filters or tact, and April's family is always right there, pushing all of her buttons. So, if nothing else, this tour will be one for the books.
Literally!
Smile for the camera!
And the new guy who seems too good to be true...
And the best friend who suddenly confesses his love for you...
Matter of fact, just smile.
A whole lot of laughs and jealousy combine in this unique romantic comedy with a nerdy photographer who loves video games, a cautious football coach who's hidden his true feelings for his best friend, and an NBA star who happens along the most interesting woman he ever met who balked at his fame and money.
She has to make a choice...
Her best friend that she wouldn't know how to live life without, or this new relationship that's more special than she could have ever imagined.
Does love really conquer all?
Or does love really have nothing to do with it most of the time?
Can unlikely friends grow to be more than that when there are so many forces trying to keep them apart?
Nicole:
I like who I am. And I enjoy my calm organized life just the way that it is. My best friend may enjoy living in a crazy world fueled by money and sex, but that's never been me. My career as an author is finally starting to take off, and I don't have time for surprises right now. This man lives the same life my best friend does, and I have no intensions on disturbing my peace. But I don't think he'll be satisfied just being my friend.
Zion:
She makes me want to be a better person. She even makes me want to be honest with her. But I can't.
A friendship is all that she's willing to give because she would never fit in my world. And I wouldn't want her to. She's better than that. I've lost the desire to do what I love, and she somehow brings it back. Her beautiful words and her over all presence grounds me. But what would she say if she knew the truth?
"We weren't supposed to be friends. And we definitely weren't supposed to be more than that..."
Author/Book Nerd… Check
Singer/Millionaire… Check
Complicated love story… Double Check
*This is one half of a double release, characters from Prove Me Wrong also by Desiree Francies are present, but both can be read as stand alone novels*
So I could not put this book down! It was soooo good! It did not come easy for Nicole and Zion, they had to really work to get to a romantic relationship, but the building of their friendship first was invaluable. Now there were a lot of times I wanted to shake Nicole and tell her to go get some therapy so she could hurry it up and get with that fine, sexy Zion. Zion had his issues, but he came to the realization that he needed to make some changes and he put forth the effort to do so. I love music, specifically R&B, so I was loving those poems/lyrics and wish I could have heard them as actual music. (The Epilogue poems were super clever btw!) I also enjoyed Zora, Flo, Coop (who is a hilarious hot mess) and cutie pie Quinton. This was a wonderful read and I can't wait to read more by this author!
I have this story 5 stars because it was a great story.
I liked that the author have us a glimpse of the back story of authors and singers, what they go through to get success and to keep it, and how hard their personal life can be.
I love the two characters, Nicole and Zion and how they moved from friends to lovers to their truth
Great story, you won't regret reading it.
I am getting ready to read the companion book to this one
Keep writing great books Desiree
This is the 2nd book I’ve read from this author and wow what a story. Loved Nicole and Zion. I don’t want to give anything away but I love how they fell in love. Friendship and hardship turned into a wonderful and sweet story. Ms. Francies you outdid yourself with this book!
"At their core, all black men are the same. But I'll give you three months to prove otherwise..."
“Sounds like a bet to me...”
Two extremely different individuals make a bet to prove their own philosophy. With a poll of their friends together, they will see whose ideals hold up over time. Three months is the deadline...
Eva:
My friends may judge my dating habits and judge me for feeling the way that I do, but I refuse to apologize for who I am. I've seen enough to know that underneath it all, most black men are exactly the same. I'm not saying anything is wrong with them... Well, not much anyway. I just don't want to date them. I'm not trying to repeat the same mistakes so many sista's out there have.
Max:
I'm attractive. I'm every woman's type. I know, they've told me. It may seem arrogant, but it is what it is. Ladies don't want to admit this, but all women think the same way. It just takes the right combination of words and their panties are mine. A single, financially stable black man with no kids who looks the way I do? Psshh, I'm a freaking unicorn, baby.
So, is she wrong?
Is he wrong?
Or do they both have something to learn?
Enemies to lovers... Check
Amazing friendships... Check
Hilarious characters to love... Double Check
*This is one half of a double release, A Break From Normal also by Desiree Francies is available, but both can be read as stand alone novels*
Max and Eva were a trip, and the crazy crew around them made the story so much sweeter! I love a good enemies to lovers story and this one had me cracking up. For the laughs and the love, this is a great book!!!
I loved this book, it resonated with me. I could so, identify with these characters. As a black woman, I have met men like Max. And I am definitely a woman like, Eva right now in my life. There were so many funny moments. I absolutely, loved every minute of this book.
Ok so this book was great, and I usually don't enjoy romance without a good love scene in it. The banter between the friends was absolutely amazing, and I was laughing throughout the entire book. Good stuff Desiree on proving me wrong because I definitely enjoyed this book.
Neon Corner
We all get the same 24hrs... Do something amazing with yours
Copyright © 2024 Neon Corner - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder