Keisha McKinley is an 18-year-old beautiful bombshell, born and raised in Southeast DC. While her parents became addicted to drugs, Keisha became addicted to money, clothes, and anything else she could get out of the guys she came across. With her best friends, Laniah and Jess, by her side, she lives the cash life and brings them along for the ride. She believed she could play any man out of money with promises of having her, until she met Black. Black was one of DC’s top hustlers, who refuses to play her game. This changes her outlook, and she falls for him hard. Her past decisions threaten her life and the lives of the ones she loves. They will cost her a friend, and possibly, her own life. Will she make it out by standing by her man, or will she fall victim to her own greed?

In the finale of A Hood Rich Thug Gave Me Love, Davonte's skeletons continue to fall out of his closet. Even in death, he is still wreaking havoc in Xia's life. Everything she thought was true about her marriage turns out to be a lie, and unsure of whom she can trust, she distances herself from the one person who would give his life for her. In the blink of an eye, Nakeem watches the future that he had planned with Xia and his daughter go up in smoke. Xia no longer trusts him, and that hurts beyond anything imaginable. Heartbroken, Nakeem tries to move on, but his heart won't allow it. When a lucrative opportunity presents itself, Nakeem and Wakeem switch careers. Of course, with more money comes more problems for the twins. Someone is determined to take them out of the game before they can even get in. Wakeem is still dealing with his impending divorce and a possible baby with his side chick. Although his plate is full with the streets and his women problems, he still has time for Listy. Wakeem finds himself falling for the facially challenged vixen, but will he be able to move past his superficial concerns to actually be with her? A tragedy forces him to acknowledge his heart's desire, but he may be too late. Find out if love prevails in this exciting tale of love, lies, and murder.

For Indira Porter, falling in love with Mr. Bakari Marshall brought her the greatest euphoria like no other. However, now that he’s put an end to their relationship, she would be lying if she said that it didn’t hurt her in the worst way. To make matters even worse, Indira has discovered that she is now pregnant. Now she is left confused, not knowing if her pregnancy belongs to the man she is irrevocably in love with or her fiancé. And now that she’s been informed about Javon’s infidelity, Indira is only sent down a spiraling dark path. How will she be able to overcome this storm? Bakari Marshall gave Indira an ultimatum. It was either him or her fiancé, and when she fails to do what he asks, Bakari decides to cut her off completely, cutting a piece of his heart away with her. Determined to stay focused on himself and family only, Bakari does exactly that until a whirlwind comes flying into his path, and he finds out that his sister has failed to do the one task she promised to do: kill their new common enemy, Adonis Reid. Bakari is forced to take matters into his own hands and deal with the one person who he despises more than anything. But will his plans prevail, or will someone get in his way? In the explosive finale to My Hood King Gave Me A Love Like No Other, loyalty will be tested, hearts will be broken, and everyone will have an unforgettable journey like no other.

The first book to put the sacred and sensuous bronze statues from India’s Chola dynasty in social context From the ninth through the thirteenth century, the Chola dynasty of southern India produced thousands of statues of Hindu deities, whose physical perfection was meant to reflect spiritual beauty and divine transcendence. During festivals, these bronze sculptures—including Shiva, referred to in a saintly vision as “the thief who stole my heart”—were adorned with jewels and flowers and paraded through towns as active participants in Chola worship. In this richly illustrated book, leading art historian Vidya Dehejia introduces the bronzes within the full context of Chola history, culture, and religion. In doing so, she brings the bronzes and Chola society to life before our very eyes. Dehejia presents the bronzes as material objects that interacted in meaningful ways with the people and practices of their era. Describing the role of the statues in everyday activities, she reveals not only the importance of the bronzes for the empire, but also little-known facets of Chola life. She considers the source of the copper and jewels used for the deities, proposing that the need for such resources may have influenced the Chola empire’s political engagement with Sri Lanka. She also investigates the role of women patrons in bronze commissions and discusses the vast public records, many appearing here in translation for the first time, inscribed on temple walls. From the Cholas’ religious customs to their agriculture, politics, and even food, The Thief Who Stole My Heart offers an expansive and complete immersion in a community still accessible to us through its exquisite sacred art. Published in association with the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC Please note: All images in this ebook are presented in black and white and have been reduced in size.

Born into one of the most notorious Columbian cartels, Heartria “Heart” Romero is a pampered princess who has grown up with everything her heart desires except for one thing: a prince to whisk her away to live happily every after. Heart’s luck turns for the better when she meets King, a fearless hustler with the courage to leave the streets behind for her and the passion to love her right. The couple has their sights set on their fairytale ending when tragedy strikes in the form of the notorious Spade, tearing the pair apart, leaving King heartbroken and unprotected in the mean streets of Brooklyn. At the heart of every love story is a villain and this one is no different. Sitting atop his throne is Spade, a kingpin with a slew of enemies in his wake. One of which is Diamond, a former lover and soldier of Spade with an ax to grind of her own. After feeling the wrath of Spade’s love, Diamond seeks revenge on Spade only to end up literally beaten at her own game. Brought together by the wrath of Spade, King and Diamond are no different, taking him on and ending up with irreparable scars. However, the pair is given a second chance at taking Spade down when a stranger with unknown ties to the kingpin enters the mix. Will the next hand dealt be in their favor? Or will the cards stacked against them fall?

A young woman enters a world of political intrigue in Elizabethan England in this historical thriller of family, betrayal, and deadly secrets. London, 1559. Aalia, an awkward, arrogant teenager has just arrived in the bustling city to search for her brother William. She plans to bring him to his senses. But when she discovers that both their lives are based on a lie, she must face a difficult past—and unravel a web of secrets. Courageous and undisciplined, Aalia gradually comes to terms with the truth that William has royal blood. Deciding to go against the men who want to use him as a pawn, Aalia must negotiate a world where secrecy arms the powerful. But unwilling to ask for anyone’s help, she is forced into a fateful and dangerous decision. Who can she trust when everyone around her is plotting?