The undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Fiction presents five knockout tales set in the fast-paced, high-stakes rap game–written by a hot lineup of authors with unmistakable swag and a gift for dropping sexy, thrilling stories.
From a big-time hustler who can’t give up the streets–even when it might cost him his rap career–to a fearless female emcee who goes both ways in the bedroom, these characters steam up the pages as they set out to make their mark, outsmart all the haters and hustlers looking to derail them, and rise to the top of the charts. Backstage is a VIP pass to the glamorous, gritty music industry, a world Nikki Turner knows intimately–as she introduces writers you’ll want to read again and again.
About the Author Nikki Turner is the author of the New York Times bestseller Black Widow, the #1 Essence bestseller Forever a Hustler’s Wife, and the Essence bestsellersA Hustler’s Wife, The Glamorous Life, and Riding Dirty on I-95. The first two books in the Nikki Turner Presents line were published in 2008 by One World/Ballantine Boooks.
Synopsis: Outrageous, captivating, and unafraid to tell it like it is, Nene Leakes shares her wild journey from a scandalous past to the pinnacle of reality television stardom. Lauded by her fans for her refreshing honesty, infectiously genuine style, and clever sense of humor, Nene is an empowered, self-made woman who has not forgotten where she came from and knows exactly where she wants to go.
In this straight-talking and provocative memoir Nene charts her journey from family black sheep to single mother to making good and realizing her dreams. With her charm and bold, self-possessed voice, Nene tackles her painful childhood; the abuse she suffered at the hands of a violent boyfriend; her struggle to support her firstborn son; and her path to true love, self-acceptance, and pride.
In Never Make the Same Mistake Twice, Nene dishes on her cast mates; takes on the rumors about her past; and shares hard-earned and inspiring life lessons in her fierce, no-nonsense, and irreverent style.
Product Description Since she exploded on the scene with her two juicy and impossible-to-put-down tell-alls, readers have wanted to know even more about what makes Karrine Steffans tick. How was she able to meet all the high profile politicians, movie stars, and other celebrities that are her close acquaintances? What skills does she possess to keep men wanting more? Finally, Karrine lays it all out and explains exactly what a woman must do to win over the man of her dreams. With chapters like "Never Let Him See You Sweat,""Flirting,""Encouraging His Manhood," and "Give Him What He Wants," this hot and sexy manual is a must-have for every woman's bookshelf.
About the Author Karrine Steffans became a New York Times best selling author after releasing her debut tell-all book Confessions of a Video Vixen in June of 2005. Since the success of her books, Karrine speaks at universities and celebrity panels. She has also established The Karrine Steffans Girls Club, The Karrine Steffans Book Club , and The Steffans Commentary on MySpace. Check out Karrine's website at www.karrine.com
Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your [entertainment] Business by Thembisa Mshaka
Friday, May 8, 2009
Click The Cover to win a copy of the book!
Synopsis There is a great mystique about the entertainment industry and a fervent desire in many to be part of it. But what many women don't realize is that most entertainment career guides are written from the point of view of the male executive, or are filled with industry and legal jargon-making them difficult to read and understand.
Now, in PUT YOUR DREAMS FIRST, Thembisa Mshaka uses her 15 years of experience in the music industry to expose the hidden truths that women need to know as they aspire toward entertainment careers, such as how to avoid compromising one's self-respect and the little-known fact that women run a large part of the business. This highly informative guide is for every woman wanting to know how to navigate the entertainment superhighway and find that job of a lifetime.
About the Author A cornerstone of integrity and stability in a highly competitive business, Thembisa has worked for over 17 years in service to the entertainment industry, spanning the areas of touring and management, magazine publishing, recorded music and technology, advertising, music supervision for film, voice over and most recently, television in her role as the Telly Award-winning Copy Director for BET Networks. The former GAVIN rap editor has also written for Honey, essence.com, LAUNCH, and served as contributing editor for The Hotness.com and BLAZE. A native of Los Angeles, Thembisa is an alumna of Mills College in Oakland, California. She now resides in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn with her husband and son.
Carl Weber, the New York Times bestselling author of Something on the Side and The First Lady, has a new book to keep the heat up this winter in his NEW novel…“Up To No Good.”There’s always someone who’s up to no good…In true Carl Weber tradition, the “Prince of literary drama” introduces a deliciously dysfunctional family in a drama-filled, straight –up novel with just the right blend scandal, sex, and humor! Carl Weber’s“Up To No Good” is on sale now wherever books are sold.
Are you a book club member?Visit www.kensingtonbooks.com to learn how you can win a visit from Carl Weber for your club!
Nikki Turner presents...Against The Grain by FREEZE
Friday, November 21, 2008
ABOUT THIS BOOK
“FREEZE IS THE COLDEST NEW AUTHOR ON THE COME-UP.” –Nikki Turner
Love him or hate him, Arkadian “Kay” Frost has made his mark on the streets of Baltimore as the leader of a close-knit group of friends: Mike, the ladies’ man; Tank, the funny guy with a short fuse; Apache, the wild one with artillery expertise; Gee, aka Dread, a cold piece of work; and Dre, who doesn’t drink, smoke, or cheat–and trusts no one.
Bank robberies are their bread and butter. But when a heist goes wrong, Kay ends up in prison. After serving time, he’s ready to get back to his boys and start the game again. But they’ve moved on to big-time drug dealing, and Kay can’t duck its lure. The money is flowing, but when someone in Kay’s inner circle secretly betrays him, the friends divide and engage in a full-blown war. Kay wants out before more people die, and the only person he can trust now is his woman, ShuShawn, who is not only beautiful but is as street-smart as he is. Together, Kay and ShuShawn go against the grain. It seems no one can touch them . . . except perhaps the Feds, who have been watching everything.
Product Description She's the spiciest ingredient in the legendary rap group Salt-N-Pepa, and the outspoken star of VH1's smash-hit reality show. She's Sandy "Pepa" Denton -- and she's never at a loss for words. Now, in her first tell-all book, Pepa talks about sex, music, life, love, fame, and so much more....
"Most of you know me as Pep, or Pepa, the fun-loving half of Salt-N-Pepa. I am the party girl, the one who is down for whatever. But behind the laughs and the smiles is a whole lot of pain."
Funny, fearless, and full of life, Sandy "Pepa" Denton is a pop culture icon whose remarkable story is every bit as captivating and provocative as her Grammy Award-winning music. This is the real Pepa -- upfront, uncensored, unstoppable -- and these are the memoirs of a true pioneer, fighter, survivor, and inspiration to women everywhere.
For the first time, Pepa talks about:
• Her troubled childhood • Surviving abuse • Her first encounters with Cheryl "Salt" James • Salt-N-Pepa's instant success • Her failed marriages and her escape from domestic abuse • Her "breakup" with Salt and their eventual "reunion" • Her triumphant comeback on the VH1 reality shows The Surreal Life, Fame Games, and The Salt-N-Pepa Show
Filled with surprising insights, outrageous anecdotes, and celebrity cameos -- including Queen Latifah, Martin Lawrence, Janice Dickinson, Omarosa, Missy Elliott, L.L. Cool J, supermodel Caprice, Ron Jeremy, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, "Spinderella," and many others -- Let's Talk About Pep offers a fascinating glimpse behind the fame, family, failures, and successes of celebrity...and into the faithful heart of a woman who will always value the good friends she found along the way. In the words of Sandy "Pepa" Denton, "there's no walking away from that."
About the Author Sandy "Pepa" Denton formed Salt-N-Pepa in 1986. The group went on to become one of the most significant rap groups of all time, winning numerous awards and nominations. Denton continued to grow with acting roles in movies, on television, and with her top-rated program The Salt-N-Pepa Show.
Product Description It's been over ten years since Big was killed. I grieved for him for a very long time. And then, as time passed, the icy wall of grief surrounding my heart began to thaw and I began to heal. I remarried, had more children, and continued to record and release more music. I continued to live my life. And while I can never discount the time I spent with Big, I've never felt the need to live in the past.
But sometimes, I still find myself thinking about Big being rushed the hospital, and I break down in tears.
It's not just because we hung up on each other during what would be our last telephone conversation. And it's not because I am raising our son, a young man who has never known his father.
It's partly all of those things. But mainly it's because he wasn't ready to go. His debut album was called Ready to Die. But in the end, he wasn't. Big never got a chance to tell his story. It's been left to others to tell it for him. In making the decision to tell my own story, it means that I've become one of those who can give insight to who Big really was. But I can only speak on what he meant to me.
Yet I also want people to understand that although he was a large part of my life, my story doesn't actually begin or end with Big's death. My journey has been complicated on many levels. And since I am always linked to Big, there are a lot of misconceptions about who I really am.
I hope that in reading my words, there is inspiration to be found. Perhaps you can duplicate my success or achieve where I have failed. Maybe you can skip over the mistakes I've made. Use my life as an example-of what to do and in some cases, what not to do.
It's not easy putting your life out there for the masses. But I've decided I'll tell my own story. For Big. For my children. And for myself.
About the Author Faith Evans is a musical icon in her own right, dropping hit records such as Faith (1995), Keep the Faith (1998), Faithfully (2001), and The First Lady (2005).
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Faith Evans started her music career as a songwriter for artists like Hi-Five, Mary J. Blige, Pebbles, Al B. Sure, Usher, Tony Thompson, and Christopher Williams. Faith released four albums, all certified gold or platinum. She has also collaborated with many music industry legends, including Whitney Houston, Babyface, and Sting. In addition to a Grammy Award, Faith has received a Soul Train Music Award, two Lady of Soul Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. Faith also made an appearance in The Fighting Temptations, costarring Beyoncé Knowles and Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr.
Faith lives in California with her husband and four children.