Fixtures on the Essence best-seller list, street-lit powerhouses Kiki Swinson and De’nesha Diamond team up to give listeners two delicious stories. In Swinson’s “I Need a Gangsta,” Melody gives everything to support her husband’s business – and he repays her by having an affair. Now she’s looking for payback, courtesy of one bad gangster. Diamond’s “Gentlemen Prefer Bullets” follows Eli, a hardened killer sent to protect his boss’ beautiful daughter, Blake. But Eli gets more than he bargained for, because Blake has enemies coming out of the woodwork.

NINE LIVES by KIKI SWINSON: Wild-card Aiden. Dead-shot Ava. Efficient, fast, and brutal, this notorious brother-sister hit team grew up abused, unwanted-and in lethal tune with each other. Killing nine targets in ten days will be their biggest score yet. But as Ava sets up their final target, she falls hard for him and a chance at a normal life. And that’s a betrayal she may not live to regret. THE CRUSHED ICE CLIQUE by NOIRE: At first all ghetto princesses Honore and Cucci want is quick cash-flow. But after sexing jewelry distributor Slimy Sam and learning his illegal tricks of the trade, they assemble a crack team of thieves for one dazzling scam. Replacing diamonds with fakes and selling the reshaped real deal on the black market is making them crazy-rich. But when Sam double-crosses them, these diamond divas must survive to steal another day.

National bestselling author Kiki Swinson’s novels set it off with killer plot twists, merciless characters—and an unsparing portrayal of Southern struggling, lying, betraying … and dying. Now everything is on the line as a female firefighter desperate for money gets caught up in a man-made disaster …
SET YOUR SCHEMES …
A volunteer Virginia Beach firefighter, Alayna Curry faces death every day—and is proud to carry on her retired father’s legacy. But with cash always tight and her long-time boyfriend Levi pressuring her to give up what she loves to make more money, she knows she needs more cash flow to stay afloat …
SET YOUR TRAPS …
All Alayna has to do is keep quiet about a scheme to burn down buildings for insurance-hungry “clients.” And for a while she’s on fire from the rush, making insane cash—and finding new passion in all the wrong places. But when the money suddenly stops rolling in—and one “client” after another pushes back
against the deal—Alayna and the rest of the crew stop watching out for each other and start fighting for their lives …
SET YOUR LIFE ON FIRE …
Now with the cops turning up the heat and every firefighter for themselves, Alayna must walk an impossible line to get out from under. But between betrayal, secrets, and broken duty, will what loyalty she has left be the one thing that burns her life to the ground for good?

Kiki Swinson’s “tension-packed” (Library Journal) and “unrelenting” (Publishers Weekly), bestselling novels deliver startling twists, unforgettable characters-and a stark, unforgettable portrait of life in the South. Now she detonates an explosive tale about a couple who can’t get enough-and a risk that will exact a merciless price. Nobody will get hurt: Dawn and Reese Spencer just can’t get ahead. Between her desperate desire to start a family and his gambling debts, they barely keep afloat, even with well-paying Norfolk International port jobs. But their calculating co-worker has the perfect plan: help him smuggle containers of precious, illegal-human-cargo past U.S. Customs. Nobody will know: For Dawn, risking the innocent lives of undocumented immigrants is unthinkable. But Reese persuades her that no one will get hurt. And once things proceed without a hitch and a fortune starts rolling in, the Spencers are sure their dreams are about to come true. Nobody will live to tell: Until several immigrants turn up dead on arrival. Until Reese bets more than he can ever repay. Now the Feds and cold-blooded loan sharks are closing in.as the real brains behind the operation start killing off loose ends. And between love, lies, and revenge, it’s every betrayer for themselves-no matter how lethal the cost.

STAY SCHEMING KIKI SWINSON Karlie Houston is broke, betrayed-and running from a bounty on her head. Turns out the real owners of the payday loan office she ripped off weren’t cool with her idea of employment bennies. With her lover and friends gone, she’s forced to take refuge with her cold-hearted grandmother. But with enemies closing in, Karlie’s last chance to flip a killer script is ticking down to slim, none-and dead. WHO CAN YOU TRUST? SAUNDRA Struggling bank teller Porsha has no time for Cinderella fantasies. She’s working overtime to keep her tragedy-struck family off the streets. But her new boyfriend, Game, is smart, seductive-and sure-thing successful. So why not work his rock-solid plan to steal from her bank? All she’s got to lose is more than she can possibly imagine. Author bios: KIKI SWINSON is the national bestselling author of over 30 novels and short stories. A star of the street lit genre-crime novels in an urban setting-Swinson’s works feature resilient women making tough, and sometimes not quite legal, decisions to survive. Her novels, inspired by her experiences and a five-year stint in federal prison, have sold over 1 million copies. She completed her first novel while incarcerated and her second novel, Wifey, became the first book in one of today’s best-selling street lit series. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and a former hustler’s wife, Swinson resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Visit her online at KikiSwinson.net. SAUNDRA grew up in Cleveland, Mississippi, and now resides in Indiana with her husband and children. She started writing screenplays at the age of twelve and as an adult her need to create intensified. Saundra self-published her first novella, Owning Up, before being discovered by Delphine Publications. She is currently working on her next project. Visit her website at AuthorSaundra.com, or connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthorSaundra. Author Residence: Kiki Swinson: Virginia Beach, VA; Saundra: Fort Wayne, IN

National bestselling authors Kiki Swinson and De’nesha Diamond light it up with two devious tales of players, hustles–and running out of time. . . Special Delivery Kiki Swinson Mail carrier Gabriella Vasquez is making stacks of sweet paper from the innocent-looking packages she delivers on her route. And that much cocaine can buy a lot of the sweet life–and even more of her sexy partner Eduardo’s undivided attention. But when the Feds make her an offer she can’t refuse, can she play Eduardo and his ruthless kingpin boss–and survive? Gun Play De’Nesha Diamond The only thing Julian Smith can remember is a beautiful woman’s anguished face. Still, for a man with no memory, he suddenly has a lot of enemies. Now he’ll need all the lethal skills he didn’t know he had to elude his pursuers and uncover the truth. But deep in the heart of the Caribbean underworld lies the one danger he’ll never see coming in his merciless quest to get his life back. . . “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.” –Wahida Clark “Diamond is dead-on with authentic slang . . . The raw prose will burn itself in readers’ minds, leaving them screaming for the next installment.” –Library Journal on Street Divas

The Ultimate Heist Kiki Swinson Accustomed to a life of luxury, Shannon Marshall is devastated to lose everything after her husband, Todd, is sent to prison for gun running. So when Todd plans the ultimate stickup from behind bars, Shannon’s ready to put her neck on the line. But she’ll have to pull off the hustle of a lifetime and play one dangerous gangster who always gets what he wants. . . Robyn Banks De’Nesha Diamond DEA Agent Jordan Hayes has vowed to never walk in her ex-con father’s footsteps. Suspecting her father is planning another robbery, she begins keeping close tabs on him and his crony–sexy gangster Keston Bishop. Jordan soon becomes addicted to the danger that radiates from Keston like street candy as she takes part in a daring theft that could cost her everything… “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.” –Wahida Clark “Diamond tells it like it is.” –Publishers Weekly on Heartbreaker

The Last Heist Kiki Swinson Shannon Mitchell gambled that betraying her husband’s biggest heist ever was her way out of the game for good. Losing that bet put her in lockdown–and at the top of Todd Mitchell’s revenge-fueled hit list. Now she’ll work every seductive move and lethal play to survive. ‘Cause when it comes to wreaking her own vengeance, this devious beauty isn’t taking any prisoners. . . Caked Up De’nesha Diamond Harlem Banks already has twenty-five million reasons to break out of the federal pen. But saving his desperately ill daughter is at the top of his list, even as he’s racing his ex-partner-in crime to his stashed loot . . . while U.S. Marshals are hot on his trail. His only chance is the one woman he can’t stop loving–even if she’s the one endgame he’ll never escape. . .

Essence best-selling authors Kiki Swinson and Noire have attracted huge audiences for their sexy, anything-goes fiction. Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless features a novella from each author. Swinson’s electric “Shamelessly Rich” showcases a spoiled bad girl facing a life-changing choice. And in Noire’s “Puttin’ Shame in the Game,” three gorgeous ladies set their sights on a wealthy cop. “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.”-Wahida Clark “Noire is Dickens for the age of dojah, donuts and dawgs.”-Publishers Weekly

Essence best-selling author Kiki Swinson pens addictive tales that sizzle with the passion and drama of her characters’ lives. A criminal lawyer working in Miami, Yoshi skips town when the pressure cooker of her job threatens to turn deadly. But after landing in Norfolk, Virginia, Yoshi quickly realizes she better watch her back when she witnesses a drug dealer committing murder. “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.”-Wahida Clark, New York Times bestselling author

Essence #1 best-selling author Kiki Swinson holds nothing back in this sensational tale of a scheming lawyer without limits. Yoshi Lomax loves playing dirty. She’ll do whatever it takes to win a case-including bribing cops, sleeping with her superiors, and convincing her DEA pals to make evidence disappear. But when Yoshi runs out of tricks while defending a Haitian mob boss, the gangster makes one thing clear: Yoshi either wins the case or loses her life.

National bestselling author Kiki Swinson burns up the page with calculating characters, ingenious plot twists, and a ruthless depiction of Southern conniving, rising–and taking the final hard fall. Now she brings you back to the start of
wildcard lawyer Yoshi Lomax’s career, where her first elite white-shoe-law job puts an inescapable target on her back …

NO ONE SUSPECTS …
Never one to play by any rules, Yoshi Lomax is determined to make good at an internship with one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms. She’s being mentored by the brilliant twin brother legal lights who are her parents’ friends.
And with her unexpected knack for helping the city’s wealthy, powerful clients finagle their way out of major trouble, even she is surprised at how bright her future shines …

NO ONE WILL TELL …
Until Yoshi discovers the firm uses any means necessary to get their clients off–including kidnapping, life-destroying scandal, and murder. And the dark heart of the company is a super-secret society fueled by dangerous desires that have no
limit–and no way out. Even for the ever-resourceful, ethically dubious Yoshi, this is bad news she wants no part of …

NO ONE CAN SURVIVE …
Now armed with secrets too lethal to keep, Yoshi will leverage all her skill and unpredictable maneuvers to take down the twins. But with those she cares about most on the firing line, will her one unthinkable play too far be the move that takes her down for good?

National bestselling author Kiki Swinson never lets up with relentless characters, unpredictable twists, and a merciless depiction of Southern striving, scheming–and dying. Now she takes you to the explosive beginnings of wild-card lawyer
Yoshi Lomax, who discovers that even a life of privilege isn’t bullet proof …

The perfect storm …
Young, irreverent, and reckless, Yoshi is struggling to make good at her prestigious college and keep her demanding mother off her back, while living the good life with her peers. But between the overwhelming workload and hostile professors,
she’s on the verge of flunking out. Yet that’s the least of her troubles when her roommate, Gia, winds up in a coma, and Yoshi finds her diary–and a library’s worth of shocking, extremely valuable secrets …

The perfect edge …
For the school’s elite-of-the-elite students, their perfect transcripts, priceless connections, and endless entitlements are fueled by an all-consuming round of drug deals, sex, trading favors–and killer leverage. And in spite of her idealistic
friend’s warnings, Yoshi doesn’t regret being part of this extra-insulated circle, convinced she can handle it all …

The perfect trap …
Until Yoshi discovers that every little lie, dirty secret, and easy betrayal is hiding a secret even she isn’t willing to keep. Now with everything she cares about on the line, she must make a wrenching choice that could cost her more than her life …

Kiki Swinson’s novels crackle with breakneck triple-twists, no-limits characters, and an unforgettably brutal portrayal of Southern life. Now she shatters all expectations as a young woman serving time must survive a prisoner-abuse conspiracy . . . Trust no one She killed her abusive boyfriend in self-defense. But in jail, violent female gangs paid off by her enemies keep her fearing for her life-and land her in the hospital. From there, a medical testing facility is her one dubious hope for some kind of safety. Watch your back But from the moment she hits the yard, she and other prisoners are victimized by illegal medical experiments. Injected with lethal diseases and made a test subject for experimental vaccines, she’s clinging to determination by the slimmest thread-until she forms an alliance with a Corrections Officer. Survive the night Now she’s got unexpected help-and thanks to the CO, a risky plan to escape. But her only way out means racking up bodies. And as lethal obstacles pile ever higher, she soon may not have any future to save.

National bestselling author Kiki Swinson amps up the action and suspense with unpredictable characters, breakneck twists, and a gut-punch portrait of Southern surviving–and dying. Now the odds are straight-up killer when a private eye gets in way over her head . . . Too much to prove . . . A former journalist with a knack for unraveling dirty secrets, Khloe Mercer figures if she’s going to risk her life, she might as well make big money as a private investigator. But this reckless newbie needs a major case to make her name–and really show she can handle Norfolk, Virginia’s toughest streets . . . Too much to hide . . . When a narcotics detective’s widow needs someone to investigate her disgraced husband’s so-called suicide, Khloe jumps at the lucrative fee–and the clues that the Norfolk Police Department is rotten from top to bottom. And with formidable backup from her ex-felon uncle, she turns the city upside-down to uncover the truth . . . Too late to run . . . But Khloe’s cage-rattling tactics and high-wire strategies threaten both the cops and the city’s brutal underworld alike. Now, with her life in the crosshairs and no one she can trust, she’ll find that building a reputation comes with a price she may not survive to pay . . .

DEVIL IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING KIKI SWINSON Karlie Houston hasn’t seen a raise in forever, but the payday loan office she manages is raking in the cash. So why not get what she’s rightfully owed by masterminding a heist? Once her lover Sidney’s boys hit all the company’s locations at one time, there’s a fortune to split. But suddenly bodies start dropping-and Karlie better devise the perfect plan to survive. TWISTED DECEPTION SAUNDRA Raised by a ruthless mother, Yazz Armstrong lives by “scheme or die.” So she’s cool with helping her man, Kevon, take control of head dealer Caesar’s territory. And when the fallout racks up unexpected casualties, Yazz finds Caesar’s bed a refuge-and his empire hers to help rule. Too bad someone with an even more lethal agenda won’t stop ’til Yazz and her dreams crash and burn for good. “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.”-Wahida Clark “Saundra offers insight into the ruthless drug game but also offers hope and redemption. Fans of SistahSouljah’s groundbreaking The Coldest Winter Everwill immediately note similarities to that powerful novel in Saundra’s writing.” -Library Journal on Her Sweetest Revenge

Kiki Swinson’s bestselling “tension-packed” (Library Journal) and “unrelenting” (Publishers Weekly) novels burn with extraordinary characters, triple-down twists-and a raw portrait of Southern life only she can deliver. Now she turns up the heat as a young woman cashes in on a sure thing-only to find some addictions are always killer.Break the rules: At first, med student Misty Heiress just wants to help. With her cousin Jillian in constant pain, and the doctor refusing to prescribe, Misty steals opioids from the Virginia Beach pharmacy where she works. But when Jillian starts reselling them to local dealers and gets big money, Misty grabs an unbelievable opportunity to get out of crushing debt-and fulfill all of her and Jillian’s dreams.Live the dream: Soon Misty’s boss, Sanjay, learns the truth and wants in. In no time, their illegal business dominates the street-and racks up a fortune. But when demand quickly outstrips supply, Sanjay way overplays his hand-and the Feds come calling.Pay the price: Now Sanjay is out to pin everything on Misty and walk away scot-free. Jillian is cracking under the strain of drug addiction. And as ruthless competition aims to take Misty and her accomplices out for good, deception, betrayal, and killer secrets may not be enough to keep them all from paying the ultimate price.

National bestselling author Kiki Swinson always ups the ante with shocking twists, relentless characters,
and a hard-edged portrait of Southern living–and dying. Now all bets are off as a newbie journalist desperate
for the spotlight plunges into a killer story …

Anything for the fame
As an off-air TV news journalist, Khloe Mercer covers the tough Norfolk, Virginia, neighborhood she grew up in.
But between a hostile boss and stiff competition, she has to break a major exclusive to save her job–and lock down
the coveted anchor desk slot she feels she deserves …

Anything for the lies
When a murder takes place on her home turf, Khloe has easy access to the dirty truth behind it. But she’ll have to
decide whether to exploit every angle and leverage any favor to make her career explode big-time–or keep quiet and
keep herself, and her family, safe. Until the choice is out of her hands …

Anything to stay alive
Once the ruthless power brokers behind the hit put Khloe in their sights, they start brutally cleaning up loose ends.

Now with an inescapable target on her back and odds racking up against her, she’ll find nowhere is safe, and ambition
may be her most dangerous enemy …

Her “unrelenting” (Publishers Weekly) and “tension-packed” (Library Journal) novels have made Kiki Swinson a bestselling chronicler of the Virginia’s most glittering, treacherous streets. In the explosive follow-up to her high-octane The Score, a master thief’s ultimate payday delivers the deadliest game of all. Two for the money. Identity thief Lauren Kelly thought she was safe. The millions she stole from her double-crossing accomplice and ex-lover Matt Connors bought a quiet upscale life for her, her unsuspecting new husband Drake, and their precious baby. But betrayal was just the beginning. Three to throw down. When both Drake and the baby go missing, it’s courtesy of a vengeful Matt. Lauren has less than twenty-four hours to give him back the money. She’s prepared for any payback-but nothing can keep this exchange from going all-the-way wrong. No price is too high. Now Lauren lives to hunt Matt down. She’ll strip away his fortune, work all his weaknesses-and destroy his every strength. But she’s heading straight into an insidious trap that could turn sweet revenge into mutually-assured destruction.

Packed with “high suspense” and “memorable choices and consequences” (Booklist) Kiki Swinson’s novels sizzle with brutally unpredictable characters, breakneck plotting-and a uniquely gritty portrait of Southern life. Now she breaks all the rules as a young woman with two targets on her back tries to keep those she loves-and herself-alive . . . Run for cover It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition-and get payback by any means necessary . . . Play for time Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends. When he kidnaps a relative and demands her in exchange, she and a desperate DEA agent work a bold switch to nail him. But the fallout is disastrous-and deadly . . . Do anything to survive Now the local police are closing in on her as the prime suspect in her abusive boyfriend’s disappearance. She’s got no choice but to ditch the feds and take down her merciless pursuer on her own. But with no options, no help, and the clock running down, this not-so-innocent victim’s only shot may be the one risk that takes her out for good . . .

She’s bright, beautiful-and a criminal at heart. A Virginia Beach street hustler turned identity theft mastermind, Lauren Kelly’s always had a taste for the finer things-Chanel, Prada, Amex Black Cards-and Matt Connors, her lover and accomplice. When their partner, Yancy, stumbles onto a tycoon’s three million dollar bank account, everything’s golden-until Lauren discovers Yancy and Matt are planning the ultimate double-cross. . . Fortunately, Lauren’s one step ahead of Matt. Once she disappears with every last dollar, they’ll have no doubt they picked the wrong woman to play. But all three of them picked the wrong man to rip off. Randy Miles is no ordinary multi-millionaire. He’ll stop at nothing to get what’s his. . .and once his reign of terror starts, everyone will run for cover-but not everyone will live to talk about it.

Two couples decides to sign up for a show called Trading Wives which is a ghetto version of the reality show Wife Swap. Instead of reaping a whopping $50,000 at the end of the show, this show will only shell out $10,000 after spending seven days the in the other wife’s household. But before these two couples are able to claim their prize money, one wife isn’t going to want to return home so fist fights will erupt and there will be a lot of blood shed. In the end who will end up with who?

Kira is trying to keep herself level headed after murdering her father in cold blood. She’s having problems with sleeping at night because she can’t get the gruesome images of her father out of her head. To add to her list of problems, Dylan’s right hand man Nick goes missing while Detective Grimes is hot on Kira’s tail and will stop at nothing to bring her down. With Dylan still in jail and her father now gone, Kira has put herself in a vulnerable position and this position will likely be the one that causes her demise. What will be Kira’s fate this time?

Kira is back for the second installment in the Wifey’s Next Hustle series and she keeps getting pulled into more murders. It seems like everywhere she turns, someone else comes up dead. Now that she’s aware that harm is lurking around the next corner, she starts equipping herself with an arsenal of manpower. But will that manpower help keep her alive? Surrounded by dead bodies, Kira still knows how to handle herself even in a situation where her life is put on the line. But this time around, the game will change. Will she be able to take this thing head on?

After a brush with death and the loss of a loved one, Kira leaves her hometown for good, gives up being wifey, and finds herself a new hustle; selling high-end cars at a luxury dealership in South Beach. Her client list is filled with wealthy cats like Hedge Fund Investors and dope boys. The dope boys bring in the most money. Kendrick Miles is one of the finest, and her best customer. He keeps her pockets laced and Kira feels indebted to him. So when it comes time for her to show him her appreciation, she doesn’t hesitate to pay up. But when she finds out that her debt came at the expense of someone else’s life, Kira is forced to call in reinforcements.

The body count is mounting and Kira is trying to stay clear of it. Detective Grimes is determined to bring the killer – or is it killers – to justice and he isn’t letting up. Kira, on the other hand, is faced with yet another situation dealing with Dylan. Her one-time knight in shining armor has turned into a crazed maniac and Kira doesn’t know how to handle him. While she tries to pick up the pieces that are continuously falling from her once-perfect life, more drama is brewing and this time it may be too hot to handle. Will Kira escape death this time?