The Connect Who Took My Heart Away

Miani Francis thought filing for a divorce from her four-year marriage would end the misery she was living in every day, but it was far from all her worries. Living with a man she's planning to depart from comes with more complications than the marriage itself. When Miani was put out with her four-year-old son, it broke her spirit and her heart. Miani becomes unsure of her future but running into her old friend Obasi might just change her outlook on life and love. Obasi Remy has been pumping vast quantities of artillery from the islands to flood the streets of St. Louis, making him the go to connect. Obasi is the Boss of all Bosses. Running into Miani reminds him of everything he’s missing in regards to having a woman in his life. She’s the one who got away and the only woman who can handle his aggressive demeanor. Reuniting just may be the best thing that could ever happen for both of them. Dice Howard has been drowning in despair since her husband's untimely demise. The only thing keeping her sane is her son. A night out grants her a chance encounter with the connect, Hosea Juelz. One night of passion leaves her wanting more, but at the same time ashamed for the feelings she holds for someone other than her deceased husband. With a close-knit family, her secretive relationship becomes everyone’s biggest question. Dice has chosen to keep it all hidden, but when you're with a connect, how far can a secret this big be held under the rocks?

After burying the father of her child, Miani has to face her next obstacle of divorcing her crazed husband, Ralph. Severing ties with Obasi once she oversteps their friendship, her decision to leave placed her back in a place she vowed never to return to. What she once bargained for was nothing close to what came. Bearing through her hindrances, Obasi is never too far. Only this time, terms have changed, but have they changed enough for the two to realize they want more than to just be friends? Dice, having to fill new shoes in the game, has to swallow taking the backseat now. With brothers hovering over, she has more than enough time to think about what she possibly entangled with Hosea. His interest never wore out with Dice. She willingly left her spot wide open for the next to occupy, leaving her conflicted. When Dice and Miani have no choice but to face these men head-on, a chain of events wraps them in deeper than before. Experiencing one another in new environments may be what they all need, but will it stop the past from breaking up what’s been consolidated?

Hilary Juelz has come back to the gritty streets of St. Louis. She has no plans to leave until she has left her mark and has been heard! Hosea is placed in an odd position, and will his reaction be best for the safety of his family? All new stress and Moss missing, will he be able to handle what is coming their way? Dice is spiraling on her own ups and downs and soon will find out the reason. What she finds could truly break or make their moment when they seem to finally be getting on track. Will Hosea make the wrong choice as the connect, putting his family and crew in jeopardy? Obasi is settling in with Miani, and cutting strings with his old flings is a must if he’s going anywhere with the woman he says he loves. Miani has to boss up not only within her relationship but with her family, who have made leaving her past with Ralph almost impossible. She quickly faces uncomfortable situations, and her relationship may crumble or soar depending on how she handles it. The completion of this evolving series comes with drama from all sides and takes you on a journey of its own. New faces, opportunities, and truths hit these couples full force, and they will be tested to their limits. Will they fall, or climb to the top when all said and done?

Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this New York Times bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series! Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions. With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime favorite.

From the author-illustrator of The Book of Mistakes comes a gorgeous picture book about caring for your own heart and living with kindness and empathy. My heart is a window. My heart is a slide. My heart can be closed...or opened up wide. Some days your heart is a puddle or a fence to keep the world out. But some days it is wide open to the love that surrounds you. With lyrical text and breathtaking art, My Heart empowers all readers to listen to the guide within in this ode to love and self-acceptance.