Dark Sons

In this winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor, bestselling and award-winning author Nikki Grimes uses free-verse poetry to powerfully tell the story of two boys, living in different times and lands, who both struggle with their faith as they watch their families fall apart. Sam’s father was always a strong Christian, and so when his dad leaves Sam and his mom for another woman, and then announces his new wife is pregnant, Sam feels abandoned—even by God. Ishmael knows he’s the first son of Abraham, and feels cherished by his father because of this position. But when visitors tell Abraham and his cruel wife, Sarah, that the real promised child will arrive soon, Ishmael is worried—and when Isaac arrives, Abraham becomes distant. Even Abraham’s God seems to be leaving Ishmael behind.Sam and Ishmael’s stories and strong poetic voices connect to create a powerful narrative structure in Grimes’ story of faith, heartache, and forgiveness.

In this ebook bindup of two best-selling novels by acclaimed novelist Nikki Grimes, we step into the complicated lives of young individuals struggling with identity and acceptance. Journey along the lives of these individuals as they find out just who they really.

Alternating poems compare and contrast the conflicted feelings of Ishmael, son of the Biblical patriarch Abraham, and Sam, a teenager in New York City, as they try to come to terms with being abandoned by their fathers and with the love they feel for their younger stepbrothers.

Our Black Sons Matter is a powerful collection of original essays, letters, and poems that addresses both the deep joys and the very real challenges of raising black boys today. From Trayvon Martin to Tamir Rice, the list of young black men who have suffered racial violence continues to grow. Young black people also deal with profound stereotypes and structural barriers. And yet, young black men are often paradoxically revered as icons of cultural cool. Our Black Sons Matter features contributions from women across the racial spectrum who are raising or have raised black sons—whether biologically their sons or not. The book courageously addresses painful trauma, challenges assumptions, and offers insights and hope through the deep bonds between mothers and their children. Both a collective testimony and a collective love letter, Our Black Sons Matter sends the message that black lives matter and speaks with the universal love of all mothers who fear for the lives of their children. Contributions by Jacki Lynn Baynks, Shelly Bell, Deborah Binkley-Jackson, Meta G. Carstarphen, LaMar Delandro, Gretchen Givens Generett, Jane Anna Gordon, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Maria del Guadalupe Davidson, Susan Hadley, Carol E. Henderson, Dawn Herd-Clark, Elisheba Johnson, Heather Johnson, Newtona (Tina) Johnson, Jane Lazarre, Sara Lomax-Reese, Tracey McCants Lewis, Nicole McJamerson, Michele Moody-Adams, Elisha Oliver, Blanche Radford-Curry, Autumn Redcross, Tracey Reed Armant, Noliwe Rooks, T. Denean, Sharpley-Whiting, Treasure Shields Redmond, Sharyn Skeeter, Becky Thompson, Linda D. Tomlinson, Dyan Watson, Veronica T. Watson, Regina Sims Wright, Karsonya Wise Whitehead, and George Yancy.

Forget knights on white horses, how about a hero riding a motorcycle with shining chrome? Phoebe’s spirit was forged into steel by a childhood split between foster care and the streets. Now grown, the simple act of accepting the wrong drink traps her in the underworld of human trafficking. On her way to be sold to a Mafia sociopath who’s obsessed with her innocent looks and unbreakable spirit, Phoebe desperately reaches out for help from an unlikely hero. Sharp, VP of the Dark Sons Motorcycle club and former Navy SEAL sniper, has long ago learned being right is not the same thing as being lawful. With his Brothers, he lives, fights, and loves hard, living every day by their code of honor. He never thought to take an Old Lady, especially not one who looks as delicate or has been as abused as Phoebe. But Sharp soon finds himself losing his heart to her, vowing to protect her no matter the cost. Far from a natural match, Sharp struggles with whether she can ever accept the man he is and not just the safety he represents. When Phoebe asked for help, she’d been willing to do anything to be safe. But she hadn’t expected to find a new home, an unconventional family, and a man who sets both her heart and body ablaze. Can she overcome her fear and trauma and convince Sharp she’s more than just someone to protect? This is book one in the Dark Sons Motorcycle Club series and can be enjoyed independently. Publisher’s Note: This dark contemporary romance has elements of danger, mystery, suspense, adult themes, possible triggers for some readers, adult content, sensual scenes and power exchange. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.

Angela, a socially awkward, sexually inexperienced, computer genius, has chosen to expand her horizons and research what a man wants in a woman by working at night at a strip club. She thinks she has found the perfect teacher in Tek, a member of the Dark Sons MC. But this biker is so much more than a bad boy, he is a billionaire. She shows up to her new day job, programming for a big security firm, and finds out he is the CEO. The saying ‘Never mix business with pleasure’ becomes startling truthful, when foul play happens at work and Tek accuses her of trying to destroy his company. She’s knows she’s innocent but trying to prove it may cost her her life. Tek’s security company has become the target of skilled hackers. When a gorgeous, brilliant, and well-known hacker starts working at not only his company but at his MC’s strip club he is suspicious. She captures his imagination, interest, and lust. When he discovers he’s wrongly accused her of crimes, and put her in the crosshairs of the actual criminals, Tek struggles between keeping her safe and trying to claim her as his own; he plans on succeeding at both. This is book three in the Dark Sons Motorcycle Club series and can be enjoyed independently. Publisher’s Note: This dark contemporary romance has elements of danger, mystery, suspense, adult themes, possible triggers for some readers, adult content, sensual scenes and power exchange. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.

How are teenagers' religious experiences shown in today's young adult literature? How do authors use religious texts and beliefs to add depth to characters, settings and plots? How does YA fiction place itself in the larger conversation regarding religion? Modern YA fiction does not shy away from the dilemmas and anxieties teenagers face today. While many stories end with the protagonist in a state of flux if not despair, some authors choose redemption or reconciliation. This collection of new essays explores these issues and more, with a focus on stories in which characters respond to a new (often shifting) religious landscape, in both realistic and fantastic worlds.

Avery knew life as an undercover DEA agent was dangerous, but she never imagined that in less than a day her entire world would fall apart. Her cover was blown and the man who exposed her set her up to be taken by her enemies, framed her for taking bribes and killing her partner. Only the intervention of a mysterious group of men saved her from a fate worse than death. Now she is on the run from the very law she used to uphold and her only hope of clearing her name is to find the men who saved her life. Max knows there is nothing he can do to make up for the sins he committed in Black Ops while undercover. As the Dark Sons Road Captain his job is to make sure everyone comes home every time. When he helps his Brothers free women from a human trafficker he makes it his mission to make sure every one of them finds their way home. All except the one who disappeared. When Avery finds her mysterious savior, she finds the two of them have a primal connection that can’t be denied. Max vows to help her in whatever way she needs. When her enemy turns out to be someone from his past will she choose getting her vengeance over their growing love? This is book four in the Dark Sons Motorcycle Club series and can be enjoyed independently. Publisher’s Note: This dark contemporary romance has elements of danger, mystery, suspense, adult themes, possible triggers for some readers, adult content, sensual scenes and power exchange. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.