Bentley Manor Series by Meesha Mink, De'nesha Diamond

DREAMS OFTEN DIE IN THE PROJECTS In the first book of a drama-drenched new series, four unforgettable women will do anything to escape the hood. From their front stoops at Bentley Manor, longtime residents Miz Osceola and Miz Cleo have seen just about everything and know all too well that there's no happily-ever-after in the projects. There's only the desperate need to get out by any means possible... moreDREAMS OFTEN DIE IN THE PROJECTS In the first book of a drama-drenched new series, four unforgettable women will do anything to escape the hood. From their front stoops at Bentley Manor, longtime residents Miz Osceola and Miz Cleo have seen just about everything and know all too well that there's no happily-ever-after in the projects. There's only the desperate need to get out by any means possible. Aisha has what every other ghetto girl envies: a loving man who supplies her with all the fashion, money, and accessories that scream "hood success." Now that her husband's in jail, Aisha may have to put something more precious than her designer gear up for sale in order to maintain her image. The cost may be too high even for her expensive tastes. Devani knows she's found her way out of the hood when she sleeps with Tyrik, a star pro athlete. When Tyrik's calls get further and further apart, Devani's mother suggests the perfect scheme: become his baby momma. Will Devani's plans force her man to commit, or backfire with the worst of consequences? Molly is so in love with her husband, Junior, that she doesn't care if she's the only white girl in the hood. Blinded by her love, Molly lets everyone walk all over her. But Junior may cross the line, forcing Molly to give back all the abuse she's taken. Lexi has five children - and four broke baby daddies. Now she is married to Luther, Mr. Right in every way but in the bedroom. Determined to finally provide a good man for her kids, Lexi must struggle to fight her cravings for sex with her ex. Will she stay faithful to her husband or give in to a passion that may very well prove deadly? less

In the second installment of the Desperate Hoodwives trilogy, hailed by the New York Post and Essence as a “can’t-miss new series,” hearts break, lives shatter, and lies prevail at Bentley Manor, where no one can escape their sins. Four very different women find themselves caught in the web of Bentley Manor, one of the hood’s most notorious projects, where no one has ever left unscathed… There’s Keisha, who married the high school basketball star... moreIn the second installment of the Desperate Hoodwives trilogy, hailed by the New York Post and Essence as a “can’t-miss new series,” hearts break, lives shatter, and lies prevail at Bentley Manor, where no one can escape their sins. Four very different women find themselves caught in the web of Bentley Manor, one of the hood’s most notorious projects, where no one has ever left unscathed… There’s Keisha, who married the high school basketball star. Everything seemed fine, until Smokey got addicted to crack, and now she’s desperate just to feed their kids. Takiah needs to get away from her pimp husband so bad that she’s willing to go back to church, but what if the pastor’s eyes stray from the heavens? With a voice to rival Mary J. and Whitney, Princess might just have the ticket to escape the projects, if only she could find her courage, while Woo Woo has escaped with her suburban husband—only to find herself sneaking back for steamy sexcapades with her drug dealer ex. And you can bet Woo Woo’s not the only one with secrets to hide… From two critically acclaimed powerhouses in urban fiction, this is a gritty, passionate, and straight up real series that is not to be missed. less

In the third and final installment of the Desperate Hoodwives trilogy, hailed by the New York Post and Essence as a “can’t-miss new series,” a pimp, a killer, a playa, and a drug dealer struggle to get their game right in a sizzling novel where leaving the life and trying to go straight is a deadly option. Tavon, better known as “Sweet,” would pimp his own mother—and he does... moreIn the third and final installment of the Desperate Hoodwives trilogy, hailed by the New York Post and Essence as a “can’t-miss new series,” a pimp, a killer, a playa, and a drug dealer struggle to get their game right in a sizzling novel where leaving the life and trying to go straight is a deadly option. Tavon, better known as “Sweet,” would pimp his own mother—and he does. Convinced that the prostitution game chose him, Sweet loves his high-rolling life. But when he unexpectedly becomes a father, will Sweet be able to choose between the family trade and his grown, not-so-innocent daughter? After ten years in prison, the drive-by Demarcus committed still haunts him. Determined to stay above the law, he’s found Allah, promised to change his ways forever, and finally do right by his girl, Zoey. But when an opportunity arises that will set him and Zoey right for life, Demarcus may have more faith in his killah reputation than the Koran... Kaseem runs every single drug going in and out of Bentley Manor. His empire provides clothes, cash, and his satisfaction of his wifey, Quilla—along with the company of other ladies, of course. But when Kaseem’s crew becomes more violent, will he be able to escape the life—and the gangsters—he created? The best playa on the block, Rhakmon can get a woman to do anything he wants. His latest girlfriend, Shaterica, lets him steal, lie, and cheat—smitten to be under his spell. But when Rhakmon’s devious deeds are finally brought to light, the revenge Shaterica plans may ultimately be more horrible than anything he could have imagined... From the ladies who brought you Desperate Hoodwives and Shameless Hoodwives , the streets of Atlanta are hotter than ever with drama, sex, and danger—profilin’ four men desperate for anything but their hood life. less