Three passionate, sensitive novels of interracial love and friendship from an award-winning master of contemporary romance who is “simply without equal” (Valerie Wilson Wesley). From breaking ground as the first African American author to write for Harlequin to her mainstream success with The Color of Love and many other acclaimed novels, Essence–bestselling author Sandra Kitt has received honors ranging from a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award to a Zora Neale Hurston Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination. In these three unforgettable love stories, “Kitt delves into issues of interracial relationships . . . with great sensitivity and understanding” (Publishers Weekly). The Color of Love: An artist trapped in an unfulfilling relationship, Leah Downey wants more out of life. But she plays it safe, never venturing too far from her comfort zone . . . especially not since the night she was mugged. But something about Jason Horn strikes a chord deep within her. Jason is a white, streetwise New York cop, with his own issues. He’s stunned by his instant attraction to this vibrant black woman who arouses both desire and his fiercest protective instincts. “Moving . . . Kitt does an incredible job exploring both characters’ reservations about having an interracial relationship.” —USA Today Close Encounters: Lee Grafton is a divorced cop and the father of a teenage girl. Carol Taggart is a newly single professor. Their lives collide one night when Carol is caught in the crossfire of an undercover drug sting. Seriously wounded, she finds an unexpected friend in Lee . . . but their mutual attraction gets complicated when it’s revealed that the bullet that hit this African American woman came from this white policeman’s gun. “Bold and imaginative . . . sure to keep readers turning the pages.” —E. Lynn Harris Between Friends: Born to a white mother and an African American father, Dallas Oliver has always felt like an outsider—even more so after her mother dies and she moves in with her father and stepmother. The one saving grace is Dallas’s friendship with a white girl named Valerie Holland. Decades later, they’re still best friends. Dallas is a journalist for a controversial magazine, and Valerie is a single mother. But their bond will be tested when they fall in love with the same man: ex–Navy Seal Alex Marco. “Intense, thoughtful, and sensual.” —Library Journal

When Eva Duncan flees to the Virgin Islands to heal from the double tragedy that took the lives of her husband and young daughter, she meets the most remarkably self-possessed little girl on the plane. Her father is just as irresistible...if only he weren't so bossy and overbearing. Still recovering from the pain of his recent divorce, Adam Maxwell is reluctant to open his heart to another woman. Then he starts spending time with his daughter's new friend in this tropical Eden and Adam's burgeoning desire has the single dad yearning to be a family again, to have and to hold Eva in his arms forever....

When everyone wants something from you, who do you trust? Jean Travis has the job of announcing the latest lottery winner on TV and is stunned to find that Patrick Bennett, her teenage crush, is the top mega winner. They haven't seen each other in years, and Patrick is thrilled to renew their acquaintance. Jean, not so much. After all, a lot has changed since they used to study together and Jean worked so hard to hide her feelings. Now that he's won so much money, Patrick faces a whole new world of demands from family, friends, coworkers, strangers. The only person he knows for sure he can trust, is Jean... Everyone is raving about Winner Takes All: "Great story-telling of the most romantic kind."—Brenda Jackson, New York Times bestselling author "A warm-hearted story and a clever plot reflecting current issues with sensitivity, warmth, and wisdom."—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Heat, heart, and the importance of family define Sandra Kitt's wonderful stories. She navigates the complexities of real world relationships with a radiant, positive energy that satisfies and inspires."—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author "Romantic, tender, emotional, and compelling."—RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author "Delightfully entertaining and deliciously romantic story of second chances and family drama!"—Debbie Mason, USA Today bestselling author "Sandra Kitt creates a satisfying tale of sudden wealth, family ties, and not one, but two second chances at love. Fans of Debbie Macomber will enjoy Winner Takes All. A story to warm the heart."—Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author

Torn between the worlds of her black father and white mother, divorced journalist Dallas Oliver's close friendship with redheaded Valerie Holland is threatened when both women fall in love with an ex-Navy SEAL, the secrets from Dallas's past emerge, and the truth about Valerie's daughter comes to light.

Patricia Gilbert looked nearly as young as the students she counseled in a Brooklyn high school. And despite her African-American heritage, she also looked white.

Three passionate and sensitive contemporary romance novels from an Essence–bestselling author and “powerful, prolific, and remarkable writer” (Eric Jerome Dickey). From breaking ground as Harlequin’s first African American writer to her mainstream success with The Color of Love and many other acclaimed novels, Essence–bestselling author Sandra Kitt “continues to shatter stereotypes and open doors for writers and readers of popular women’s fiction” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune). Her work has received a range of honors, including the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, the Zora Neale Hurston Award, and an NAACP Image Award nomination. In the three contemporary love stories collected here, Kitt’s storytelling continues to be “bold and imaginative . . . sure to keep readers turning the pages” (E. Lynn Harris). The Next Best Thing: April Stockwood’s dream getaway to Venice gets off to a rocky start when her passport is stolen. But her bad luck turns into good fortune when she reconnects with Hayden Calloway, a diplomat with the American consulate. Hayden was April’s greatest crush when they attended high school together in Philadelphia. Suddenly, her Italian vacation is heating up. Has April finally found the passport to true love, halfway around the world? She’s the One: After the sudden death of an old friend she hasn’t seen in years, Deanna Lindsay is shocked to discover that she has been designated guardian of Stacy’s biracial daughter, Jade. New York firefighter Patterson Temple feels a sense of responsibility for the orphaned girl and doubts that a single career woman is the right person to care for her. As Deanna and Patterson struggle with their preconceptions about each other, their mutual concern for Jade gradually draws them closer. Significant Others: With her youthful appearance and light skin, African American high school counselor Patricia Gilbert knows how it feels to be treated like an outsider. So when a biracial fifteen-year-old boy becomes the target of bullies, she’s determined to help. Morgan Baxter finds being a single father to the troubled teenager a daunting challenge. But Patricia seems to understand his son—and him—presenting him with a new challenge: falling in love.

DIVHailed by Eric Jerome Dickey as “a powerful, prolific, and remarkable writer,” Sandra Kitt tells the passionate story of a single career woman who finds the love of her life after she becomes the guardian of an orphaned child /divDIV/divDIV A research manager at a TV station, Deanna Lindsay is content with her successful career and her relationship with her friend and lover, Richard. Then she gets the call that changes her life. Stacy Lowell is dead, the victim of an apparent hit and run. Deanna hasn’t seen her old friend in almost seven years—so she’s stunned to discover that the troubled woman appointed her as the guardian of her six-year-old biracial daughter./div At first, New York firefighter Patterson Temple doesn’t think Deanna is the right person to provide a home for young Jade—but then Deanna starts to change his mind. Almost against his will, Patterson finds himself drawn to the elegant career woman. But someone from Stacy’s past also wants Jade—someone very dangerous.