GOD ONLY KNOWS C. Kelly Robinson writing as Xavier Knight

Order Now Amazon.com Read an Excerpt     Julia Turner, an ambitious educator in her mid-thirties, leaves a high-profile job in Chicago to return to Dayton, Ohio to serve as superintendent of Christian Light, the K-12 private school system from which she graduated two decades earlier. A single mother with an ugly divorce and a complex childhood in her rearview mirror, Julia views her mission as a chance to contribute to her hometown and conquer the demons from her past. But she never expects to confront the one sin she and her childhood friends agree to bury as teens - the accident that left Eddie Walker hospitalized and incapacitated. Meanwhile, Detective Peter Whitlock, Eddie Walker's older bother, is still determined to find the person(s) responsible for his brother's condition. When Whitlock's investigation leads him to the front door of Cassie Gillette, Julia's best friend and fellow Christian Light classmate, the lifelong friends must decide whether they will keep their dark secrets, or tell the truth and let God decide the outcome. With so much at stake, is their faith strong enough to risk everything? Praise “Knight masterfully weaves compelling characters and suspense that keeps you turning pages." —Victoria Christopher Murray, author, Too Little, Too Late

THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE C. Kelly Robinson writing as Xavier Knight

Order Now Amazon.com     TWO MARRIAGES. TWO SECRETS. AND ONE LAST CHANCE… Jesse Law: I was one of the biggest names in R&B music. But that can’t match the happiness I’ve found as the lead singer of gospel’s hottest group—and in my wife Dionne, a fiery reverend. Now the one joy that can complete our marriage is my worst betrayal, and the truth could cost us everything. Dionne Law: I couldn’t have been happier when Jesse and I found a surrogate mother to bear our son. But now that I know the real story about “our” baby, I don’t know what to do. I’m struggling with the ministry of a lifetime and trying to help our best friends, Coleman and Suzette…but my own world is falling apart. Coleman Hill: Teaming up with Jesse made me a star and a role model. But success made it harder and harder to conceal who I really am. Now my life is turning into a media nightmare—and the tough choices I have to make are leaving me and everyone I care about with no place to hide. Suzette Hill: Coleman was just what I wanted in a man, a caring husband and a devoted father to our children. But when you find out that almost everything you believed in was a lie, how do you pick up the pieces? And is the love that’s left worth saving?

No More Mr. Nice Guy A Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club #1 Essence Best-Seller Now available in mass market paperback – at Amazon and Wal-Mart

Order Now Read an Excerpt Read More Mitchell Stone has had it! No more Mr. Nice Guy. Sick and tired of dates that end with a pat on the back, he’s decided it’s time to even his odds with the ladies and become the type of man they really seem to want: a mysterious, mischievous, deceitful Dog! With the help of his “Player” instructors, Tony and Trey, he’s dipping his toe into a stream of booty calls, baby-mamas, and sexual spin, winning over every woman who crosses his path! Nikki Coleman has had it, too! The men in her life have been good for one thing: disappointment. There’s her high school sweetheart, Barry, a successful attorney who got someone else pregnant and derailed Nikki’s early hopes of marriage. Then there’s Jomo, a guitarist who’s great in bed—except Nikki’s not the only one he’s great in bed with. There’s Mitchell Stone, an old friend and fellow executive at her record company, who’s handsome but just a little too nice. Last but not least, there’s her father, Gene Coleman, who took a few years to acknowledge that, yeah, she’s his. Now that a case of sexual harassment has Nikki on the verge of losing her job and with it her entire career in the music industry, the lack of a strong man in her life is even more painful. She can survive on her own, but in her heart she wants a Mr. Right to stand by her side and help her ride out the storm. Meanwhile, Mitchell is well on his way to becoming a real Player. With his handbook of “Dog rules” and a new, swaggering style, he’s attracting women left and right. He’s even got Nikki reconsidering their just-friends status. But has this Dog bitten off more than he can chew? And will Mitchell’s newfound womanizing ways come back to bite him before he and Nikki find true love? Praise “"Funny, nimble, entertaining storytelling with laugh out loud moments. Robinson's characters are easily recognizable." —Marcus Major, author of Good Peoples and Four Guys and Trouble “Young, black, single and mad as hell . . . [A] lighthearted look atthe irrationality of dating.” —Kirkus Reviews Buy this book from: amazon.com

The One That Got Away

Buy It Now Amazon.com Fast-rising record exec Tony Gooden has his priorities: making money and enjoying the single life. But his game plan is thrown off balance at a friend’s wedding when he sees Serena Kincaid.. Back in their college days he put himself on the line for that wonderful woman, and like a fool, let her go. Now Serena’s a married mother of two, and she embodies everything Tony wishes he had. With just one look, just one smile, she’s back in his heart—but with a whole new life and all new complications. What are two soul mates willing to risk now, for a last chance at real love against all odds? “A wonderfully talented writer.” — Kimberla Lawson Roby, Author of Too Much of A Good Thing "A fabulous contemporary romance starring two likable protagonists who belong together yet somehow never took the next step..." —Harriet Klausner, Amazon.com reviewer "Captivating . . . an entertaining and engaging read . . ." — Yasmin Coleman, APOOO BookClub

The Strong, Silent Type

Buy it Now Read an Excerpt Discussion Questions "Candid and refreshing," the bestselling novels of C. Kelly Robinson have captured contemporary life with insight and heart. Now he's back-and at his best-in a new novel of achieving dreams against all odds. Only a few months shy of thirty, former NFL star Deacon Davis has already said goodbye to his glory days. Divorced and recently fired from his job after a disastrous, nationally televised press appearance, Deacon faces a potentially bleak future. One thing still drives him and starts a fire in his soul, though: the legacy of his late father-a renowned civil rights activist who died under suspicious circumstances. Speech therapist and single mother Maria Oliver is accustomed to life's twists of fate. Since the day she gave her child away hoping he'd have a better life than she could provide, she knew the day would come when she'd regret it. But she wasn't prepared for another of life's surprises--- her new patient, Deacon, and an electric one-night stand that crosses the boundaries of love and ethics. But as both their hidden secrets unfold, and their troubled pasts come to light, Deacon and Maria discover the hard bargain between healing and forgiveness, and the unexpected joys that come from taking risks...

The Perfect Blend

Read an Excerpt C. Kelly Robinson has been applauded for his “funny, nimble, entertaining storytelling” (Marcus Major), and for capturing the black experience in all its rich diversity. Now, in his irresistible new novel, the bestselling author explores the unpredictable dynamics between men and women, love and sex, compromise and commitment. Meet Mitchell Stone, a business manager and reformed player who’s finally settling down with Nikki, the love of his life. A fast-rising music executive, Nikki wasted years with “do-wrong brothers” before finding a man she could trust. In Mitchell she has a loving, supportive soul mate, but five months after walking the aisle their marital bliss is taking a beating. Meet Gina Tatum, Mitchell’s baby mama—a casualty from his past. Their young son may be a blessing, but to Gina he’s also the adorable little hook to get her man back—and she doesn’t mean Dale, her on-again-off-again roughneck with a plan of his own. Meet O.J. Peters, Mitchell’s boss—a controversial conservative radio host who’s managed to shove a little dirt under his own carpet. When Keesa, his ex-girlfriend, follows him to Chicago with their young daughter Cherrelle in tow, O.J.’s newfound fame and freedom are threatened. Will he build a nuclear family with Keesa, or cling to the pleasures of the single life? Mitchell, Nikki, Gina, Keesa, and O.J. Can they find the perfect blend of love, family, and friendship? “C. Kelly Robinson is a wonderfully talented writer who captured my attention on page one and kept it until the very end. THE PERFECT BLEND is fast-moving, true-to-life, and most entertaining.” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, Author of CASTING THE FIRST STONE and TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING The Perfect Blend Consider the possibilities. Order This Book From: Amazon.com

Between Brothers

A suspenseful coming of age story that moves from the halls of a historically black university to the streets of Washington D.C., with great insight into the joys and perils of discovering what really matters in life. As the Ellis Community Center, a rare bright spot in a low-income Washington D.C. neighborhood, struggles to keep its doors open, its last hope for survival lies with four Highland University housemates: Terence "Bootstrapper" Davidson. Clawing his way out of poverty, he refuses to give in to the street while struggling to save Biggie, his defiant little brother, from that very fate. Larry "Smooth Operator" Whitaker has everything: the Lexus, the superfly girlfriend, and a future edged in gold. Driven and ambitious, his next goal is to be elected student body president. Brandon "Choirboy" Bailey. A bright pre-med major who has been dateless for four years, Brandon struggles to maintain his religious faith despite his longing for Monica, a classmate he's loved from afar. O.J. "Sinister Minister" Peters is trying to balance his budding career as a Baptist preacher with a string of empty affairs. But his carefully constructed double life is threatened when a member of his congregation becomes pregnant. Their mission to save Ellis Center quickly puts them in harm's way when Nico Lane, a sophisticated local dealer who wants the center shut down, becomes aware of their efforts. When Larry's campaign for president is sabotaged, O.J.'s women suddenly catch on to his act, and Terence is forced to choose between the center and Biggie's life, the men suspect there is more to the center's problems than just bad finances. Read an excerpt of Between Brothers Order This Book From: Amazon.com Cushcity.com

No Ways Tired by Kyra M. Grimes-Robinson

For well over a century, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been at the core of the educational and foundational structure in the African-American community. Beacons of hope and educational access, these institutions are symbolic of the constant struggle for equal higher educational opportunities for a people that have been historically denied these freedoms in the mainstream American higher education system. As such, many supporters have believed these institutions would always be a mainstay in higher education. Yet, with the changing political, economic and legal climate, public historically black colleges and universities may soon be fixtures of the past. Struggle and tribulation are synonymous with historically black institutions. Throughout their existence, there have always been external and internal forces threatening their survival, but none have been as controversial and harsh as state-mandated integration demands. This book examines the impact of integration on six public historically black colleges and universities (Central State University, Tennessee State University, Kentucky State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University) and how they are utilizing public relations survival strategies to embrace diversity, integration and preserve the cultural heritage, identity, and educational mission of HBCUs. In face-to-face and phone interviews, fifteen representatives from Alumni Relations, University/Public Relations, and Student Government Associations at these institutions share their viewpoints and perspective about integration and the significance of these academic treasures in African-American society. This work details the origin of HBCUs, their legal battles and financial crises. In addition, there are in-depth profiles of these six universities which provide individual histories, graduate numbers, predominant majors of graduates and the approximate ethnic background of faculties and student bodies. (ISBN: 1-58500-563-0) Available at: www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.borders.com http://www.1stbooks.com 1st Books Library 1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200 Bloomington, IN 47403 (800) 839-8640 www.1stbooks.com Also, special-order at your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, or other bookstores.

Kyra M. Grimes-Robinson A native of Dayton, Ohio, Kyra M. Grimes-Robinson received a B.A. in English from Fisk University in 1993 and a M.S. in Journalism from Ohio University in 1995. No Ways Tired: The Public Historically Black College Dilemma evolved from her master’s thesis, which was started in 1993. After completing her master's program in 1995, Robinson worked in corporate America and academia. During her tenure as an Academic Advisor and later as a Sponsored Programs Officer/Grants Officer at historically black Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis, Robinson continued her research on historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Once her thesis was completed, Robinson thought her work was done. But, after sharing her discoveries with others and realizing that the African-American community and academicians knew very little, if anything, about the forced integration of black colleges, she decided to do more. In April 1997, while attending a black college annual conference in Washington D.C., Robinson had a revelation that this work could make a difference. With gentle prodding from her husband, she decided to pursue this venture wholeheartedly. No Ways Tired was completed in 1998. A devoted crusader for the cause of historically black colleges and universities, she is an alumna of a black college and has been employed by one of two public historically black colleges in Missouri and the only HBCU in St. Louis. In the spring of 1999, Robinson and her husband, a novelist, launched their own self-publishing company, Against the Grain Communications. The company's mission is to improve African-American images in literature. Robinson assists with the marketing and promotion of No Ways Tired and her husband's first novel, Not All Dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to gospel music, participating in the Couples' Ministry and other ministries at her church, Omega, and reading African-American periodicals and literature. Robinson is a publicist for a local school district. She and her husband, Chet, currently reside in Dayton, Ohio.