Table of Contents Man of My Dreams By Princess F.L. Gooden One lie led to another, but neither of them led to a man. Now, after one dating disaster after another, this woman is fed up! Can You Stand the Rain By Kay Trina Morris Terry remembers two things from his teenage years: DEANA and the song that made them fall in love. Can he ever get that song out of his system. Does he even want to? Cocoa Butter Love By Keleigh Hadley and Gina Johnson The chance of finding love at a speed dating event seemed slim to full-figured Charlie. But she catches the eye of Mason, a handsome Trinidadian. Will he risk his own bruises to heal her bruised heart? Sunday Love By Cherritta Sherry Smith Infidelity threatened to ruin their relationship. When all else fails, will Romell and Carmella’s Sunday Love hold enough passion to pull him, her, and their love child through? Mixing Business with Pleasure By Richelle Denise Kennedi Tyler is a businesswoman who finds love in the most unlikely place…the arms of her boss. But when she makes a shocking discovery, she realizes everything isn’t always as great as it seems. Open By Victoria Kennedy Karim is stiff and formal. Deanna is saucy and down to earth. They come from different cultures, religions and pasts. When they answer the call of attraction, will they be able to bridge what separates them and submit to the desire they can no longer deny? A Good Woman By Tania Renee Zaird Kayla is a beautiful woman who has been unfortunate in love. When she meets Jeffrey, the man of her dreams, will she be able to prove to him that she is indeed a good woman? We Ain’t the Huxtables By Lachelle Weaver Successful in her career, Martika Jordan hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love and relationships and finding her ideal mate. Growing up an only child, she’s always dreamed of having a family to model that of her all-time favorite TV family, The Huxtables. And with a series of failed relationships and dating mishaps, she’d given up on that dream, but when someone from her past resurfaces that could all change. The What If? Game By Gina Torres Almost everyone wants to experience toe curling passion. But is that enough to sustain a reltionship? As the saying goes "What is good to you isn't always good for you" and one lovesick woman is about to find that out the hard way! The $8 Deal By Trenekia Danielle A twenty-two year old college graduate learns the hard way that boredom and dating do not mix. Indulgent dating may get her a few laughs but it is not funny when she becomes the butt of her own joke. Only a Dog Wants a Bone By Natalie Woods Lefall Big girls need love too! Not every man desires an anorexic Annie, but when you're overweight, a good man is hard to find. Angel is a plus-size diva who gives you an inside look into her dating life as an obese, attractive, successful young woman. Prepare to laugh and learn as you meet the cast of canines Angel encounters on her pursuit of love and happiness. A Beautiful Letter By Cheryl Ashford Daniels Elle all but gives up on love after her husband dies, especially since dating proves worse than being alone. When she receives a mysterious letter from an unexpected source, she opens up to the possibility of love again. Holiday Party By Loureva Watson When Greg and Kelly start dating, he chooses to leave out an important detail about his past relationship. Kelly is devastated when she learns the truth years after they are married and expecting their first child. Will Greg’s “little” lie tear their marriage apart? Man In My Dreams By Princess F.L. Gooden First of all, I shouldn’t have put on this body wrap and these six-inch heels to meet this man at this mall. Trying to be sexy. But every piece of flesh over the hundred and fifteen pounds that my Facebook picture advertised had to be tucked away. Okay, so I lied on my page. I’m much bigger now. I took that picture when I was twenty, but my face still looked the same, so I used it. Plus he never asked me if I had gained weight or changed. And I didn’t ask him if his picture was current. I could be meeting a monster. Right in the middle of the food court near the Yogurt Bar. Which led to my second problem. How was I going to sit down at these low tables in this mummified suit? I couldn’t breathe standing up. “Sample ma’am?” The young girl pointed the toothpick at me that had a fat piece of meat hanging off the tip. “We have a dinner special for four ninety-nine. Two meats and fried rice or noodles.” “No, thank you.” I definitely didn’t need any food. Something was guaranteed to pop. I looked around to see if Todd had arrived. He hadn’t. He was already fifteen minutes late, which gave me a good reason to run to the car to take this fat masher off. I looked around for a seat that would allow me to slide into it. I found one in the corner near the entrance. My mini skirt rode up my thighs and stopped on a roll. I watched as the young girls passed by with their boyfriends. Holding hands. Appearing to be in love. I couldn’t remember the last time I was in love, or in like for that matter. I just knew I was tired of being lonely. Twenty-seven years old and no one to call boo. Last year, I spent $49.99 on three dating sites and I ended up with a stalker and a relationship with a overbearing mother who tried to set me up with her son. He wasn’t interested in me at all, but she thought I was a good match for him. So she invited me to family gatherings and church even after he got a girlfriend. She promised to pray to the almighty God that he would come to his senses and find me to be a “good thang.” He got married and she is still praying. I walked over to the windows near the food court entrance so I could see. Another ten minutes passed before Todd arrived. I spotted him as he got out of the car on the driver's side. He had a beautiful blue car. I couldn’t tell what kind because the car next to his was sticking too far out. He hurried around to the passenger side and opened the door. He reached out his hand to help a very pretty pregnant girl out of the car. I thought it was his daughter until she poked him in his side and pulled his shirt toward her causing his lips to land on hers. He popped her on the butt and closed the door to the car. My mouth dropped. My first instinct was to get up and head to my car, but my curiosity requested I stick around. Todd held her hand until they reached the sidewalk. I couldn’t hear the conversation, but it ended with them going in opposite directions. Todd took a deep breath, checked his clothes, grabbed the door, and walked in. He headed over to the Yogurt Bar where we discussed meeting. He didn’t look like a monster. He was really handsome. I had to admit he looked much better in person. He reminded me of T.I. with the way he dressed and walked. I let him circle the food court one time around before getting up to meet him. I decided it was better to walk into him, so I headed in the opposite direction and stopped when I arrived in front of the Chick-fil-A. I knew he wouldn’t miss me because it was in the corner that led to the mall. “Shay, yo, ShayBaby.” ShayBaby was a nickname he had given me fifteen minutes after we met on Facebook. I turned around, pretending that I was surprised to see him. “Oh hi, Todd.” “What up, girl? I thought you changed yo mind. Had a brotha walking roun’ the track ta get ta ya.” “No. I waited where we discussed meeting. You’re late.” “A’ight then. Little Feisty. You mad?” “No. Just saying.” “Ahhh, look at ya. Pouting. I can make it up to ya. Le’s get some nuggets and som’ of dis sweet tea. Chit-chat a lil bit. You good wit that, lil’ mama?” “I guess.” He grabbed my hand and led me into the Chick-fil-A. “You guess? Well, I guess I will have to order for ya.” He looked over to the cashier and pulled out his wallet. “Let me have two numba eight wit’ sweet tea. Them jumbo ones.” The young girl smiled and said, “My pleasure,” as she reached her hand out for the money. Todd responded, “Naw, it’s my pleasure, lil’ mama.” She handed him his change and placed our food on the tray in no time. He looked at her and smiled before saying, “Don’t work too hard, baby girl. The world needs for you to keep all that pretty together.” He was flirting and she looked confused because he was doing it while standing next to me. He didn’t see a problem. He grabbed the tray, and started walking all the way to the back, and offered to let me get in the booth first. My body wrap hurt worse as I bent to sit down. I was almost pressed to the wall when he dropped down in his seat and pushed me over. He quickly opened up both boxes of nuggets before looking up at me. Want more??? ….Be sure to get your copy Feb. 24th! Join our Mailing List so we can keep you updated!