BOOKS
ONLY YOU - Graysons of New Mexico
(Sierra - October 2007)
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Essence bestselling author Francis Ray continues to charm and inspire her readers with this new tale about the romantic lives of the Grayson family—and this time, it’s the daughter’s turn to step up to the plate.
UNIMAGINABLE...
Sierra Grayson is next in line for love. If her four older brothers managed to get married off, surely Sierra can’t be far behind. At least that’s the outcome her matchmaking mother, Ruth, is hoping for…whether Sierra—smart, too sexy for her own good, and stubborn to a fault—wants it or not. But little does Ruth know what else fate has in store.
UNFORGETTABLE…
After a chance meeting billionaire real estate mogul Blade Navarone 'wins' Sierra at an auction. Both are stunned by the intense sexual attraction and fight it for different reasons. A legend in the industry, Blade is known to be ruthless and relentless—a cruel twist of fate taught him to be no other way. But can Sierra trust him to treat her as more than just another acquisition? And if Blade does allow himself to care for her, will Sierra herself be willing to give up her hard-won independence and make a lifelong investment? Or has a mother’s luck run its course?
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Click Here for a printable list of books by Francis Ray
Series
Taggart/Falcon Series
The Graysons of New Mexico Series
Against the Odds Series
Invincible Women Series
Books
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Graysons of New Mexico (Pierce - March 2007)
Pierce Grayson is a marked man: if his mother, Ruth, has her way, his carefree single days will soon be over. But Pierce isn’t going down without a fight. He’s ready to take action against his mama’s matchmaking…but what he’s completely unprepared for is the feeling that hits him when he meets Broadway actress Sabra Raineau. She’s in Santa Fe helping Ruth with a production at the University. With her luscious lips and long legs, Sabra is temptation personified—and Pierce isn’t in the habit of resisting temptation.
With Hollywood calling and another play in the works, Sabra has no time for romance. And, after one heartbreak too many, she’s happy to stay unattached. But Pierce has other ideas—the kind that can curl a girl’s toes. Sabra’s not above a little extracurricular activity, but she can’t afford to risk her heart on anything serious. Still, the closer she gets to Pierce, the harder it is to deny him—and to keep a secret that could tear them apart....
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In Another Man's Bed
Mainstream (February 2007)
Click Her to Watch the Video: In Another Man's Bed
When Justine Crandall walks in on her husband of six years with another woman, she flees their home, declaring he'll never see her again. And her wish almost comes true when his car careens off a cliff in his pursuit of her. Hours later she finds herself in a hospital, faced with a terrible choice. Will she disconnect his life support because he was a liar and a cheat or because it's the humane thing to do? Or…should she keep faith that he'll revive from his coma? In the meantime, an old love reappears, pitting her heart against her conscience, and making the decision even more difficult. Justine finds that soon she must choose: be with a man who truly loves her and puts her first, or honor her marriage vows.
Ray brings readers another fantastic story of love devotion and forgiveness that readers will treasure. Her latest stimulates every human emotion and promises to bring tears of compassion, anguish and happiness. The author really gets into the hearts and minds of her characters and encourages readers to search their own souls for the goodness they so often bury. With this novel's timelessness and inspiration, Ray is sure to pick up many new fans.
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Dreaming of You -
Graysons of New Mexico Book #3
Click Here to read an Excerpt of "Dreaming of You"
Readers everywhere fell in love with the mesmerizing, unforgettable Grayson family and their loves. Now bestselling author Francis Ray spins another sexy, compelling romance featuring the Grayson clan…
LURING A MAN INTO LOVE Successful Santa Fe hotelier, Faith McBride has loved Brandon Grayson since she was a wallflower in high school and he was her big brother’s best friend. Now hard-bodied Brandon is running a trendy restaurant a stone’s throw from Casa de Serenidad, her posh five-star hotel. When Faith looks at Brandon, she dreams of being his wife. So although it’s risky and risqué, she’s plotting a secret campaign to win his body, mind, and heart.
MAY LEAD TO PASSION...OR HEARTBREAK
With his mother determined to marry him off, Brandon Grayson is on the alert for single females being thrown his way. He’s even stopped dating, afraid of being trapped into a relationship. Surely nobody’s safer to be around than sweet, familiar Faith. But celibacy is driving him crazy. For the first time he’s noticing Faith’s enticing lips and incredible curves. Suddenly it occurs to Brandon that an affair with the one woman he can trust would certainly be a no-strings-attached affair...
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You and No Other
Book#2 of the Graysons of New Mexico
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The protégé of a world-renowned artist, sculptress Phoenix Banister dreams of one day taking the art world by storm. Few people know that Phoenix has a secret that could ruin her career before it even starts. To protect that secret, Phoenix lives a very quiet life-and that means no scandal and no romance. But her well-ordered world is turned upside down when she meets Morgan Grayson, a powerfully handsome attorney. Morgan isn't the kind of man a woman can ignore-no matter how hard she tries...
An avid art collector, Morgan deeply appreciates beauty-especially when it comes in the form of a woman like Phoenix. With her elegant smile and soft, toffee-colored skin, Phoenix takes Morgan's breath away the moment he sees her. But he senses that the woman he is falling in love with has something to hide-something not even his soft kisses and tender embrace can reveal. When Morgan finally discovers the truth about her past, will he still think Phoenix is the woman of his dreams?
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by Francis Ray, Maryanne Reid, Renee Luke
Book Description
Inhibitions melt away with these three deliciously erotic romance novellas that have something sweet in common: tempting chocolate.
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In this new novel from the national bestselling author Francis Ray, a bad girl falls on hard times, and forgiveness and redemption are the only things she has left.
Broke and living in a shabby motel, beautiful bad girl Jana Franklin has become an outcast in the elite Dallas society she once ruled. With her divorce from wealthy Gray Livingston, her dubious past, and no skills to claim, Jana is unable to support herself. Without friends and without hope, she has no one she can depend on but herself.
Then one night she stumbles (literally!) into Olivia Maxwell's store, Midnight Dreams. There she meets Tyler Maxwell--the first man she can't maneuver, toy with, or fool. After this chance meeting, tough girl Jana learns that it takes more than scheming to get her man.
Praise for Any Rich Man Will Do
“Any Rich Man Will Do is a heartfelt story about redemption, second chances, and love.”
---Elizabeth Lowell, New York Times bestselling author
“Ms. Ray’s eloquent writing style and her development of memorable characters captured my attention from page one, and held it all the way through to the end.”---J. D. Mason, award-winning author of Don’t Want No Sugar and One Day I Saw a Black King
“This is a wonderful story about love, friendship, and a woman coming to terms with who she is and finding out what’s important in life. Sometimes it’s not about what you see on the outside. Sometimes it goes a little bit deeper than that.”---Ursula Inga Kindred and Mirranda Guerin-Williams, bestselling authors of Mister Gumbo and Sister Gumbo
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A novel about the good sister, the good lover and the good wife.
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From Booklist
When Claire Bennett and Brooke Dunlap lose their jobs, both are forced to reevaluate their lives and relationships and make some life-altering decisions. Claire's reserved and introverted personality dictated her career choice to work alone. Since she was 11, Claire has secretly loved the son of her parents' employers. Brooke is beautiful, confident, and sassy. She has used her looks to woo men and get what she wants. It isn't until she meets a car shop owner with two children that she begins to use her charm to nurture instead of flirt. Lorraine is the happily married homemaker and mother of two adult children. She prides herself on being dedicated to her family and helping her husband to build a nationally recognized business. Lorraine discovers that Claire has a talent for making candles, soaps, and lotions and persuades her and Brook that they should go into business together. With Lorraine's finances, Claire's products, and Brooke's savvy, their business, Bliss, becomes a huge success. Each woman grows from her involvement in the business and the friendship that develops among them. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Kimberla Lawson Roby, national best-selling author
"Like the First Time is an unforgettable tale of lost love, and even better, second chances."
“With each successive book, the talented Ms. Ray moves further from her roots in romances for African-American audiences, and closer to general bestselling status. This book will appeal to any reader, of any race, who simply yearns for a satisfying story, gorgeously told.”
---Dallas Morning News
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From the acclaimed bestselling authors of Living Large and A Whole Lotta Love come four romantic and sexy stories celebrating big, bold, and beautiful women.
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by Francis Ray, Jacquelin Thomas, and Felicia Mason
Then Sings My Soul
Tempers flare and sparks fly when Summerset Junior College's hip band leader and Peaceful Rest Church's prim choir director are teamed to organize a musical for a college celebration. It seems opposites do attract. Soon Grace Thompson and Caleb Jackson are meshing more than just their music.
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by Francis Ray and Donna Hill
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(formally the Turning Point)
Trouble Don't Last Always is a story of hope and triumph, of self-discovery and second chances. I am very proud of this book which touches on a tough topic... domestic violence. However, rather than focusing on the abuse, Trouble Don't Last Always tells the story tells a story of hope and triumph.
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Four best-selling authors deliver four larger-than-life stories of big, bold, and beautiful women looking for A Whole Lotta Love...
In Donna Hill's Over the Rainbow, voluptuous restaurateur Jessica Morgan has been looking for love in all the wrong places. But then she poses for a plus-size magazine—and discovers, under the stars of a Caribbean night, that her soul mate may have been dining in her Harlem soul food restaurant the whole time.
In Brenda Jackson's Tempting Fate, full- figured Virginia beauty Justice Manning is talked into a lingerie modeling job...and forgets her reservations after she meets the sinfully gorgeous photographer. When the shoot turns hot and heavy, the last thing she pictures is that lust might turn to love...
Monica Jackson shows Kansas City singer Topaz Sinclair what happens When Wishes Come True. Blowing out her birthday candles, the curvaceous bombshell has just one wish: to find true love. No one is more surprised than the birthday girl when someone from her past walks back into her life—looking for happily ever after.
Francis Ray helps a commitment-shy businessman realize that The Wright Woman can make all the difference. Stephanie Wright, assistant manager of an upscale Dallas boutique, is sexy, savvy, and a stunningly beautiful size twenty. But it will take everything she's got to prove to her newest customer that they're destined to make a perfect fit.
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From the Essence and Blackboard bestseller of I Know Who Holds Tomorrow comes a novel about three women, their unlikely friendship and their unforgettable loves.
Kristen Wakefield grew up the privileged, beloved daughter and sister of a wealthy family...yet she felt eclipsed by the achievements of her older brother, Adam, a renowned neurosurgeon. In New Orleans, Kristen believes she now has the opportunity to prove herself and forget a rather disastrous past relationship. But life is much harder that she expected in the Big easy. Then she meets a man from her past, Rafe Crawford...a man battling his own demons and keeping his own secrets.
The beautiful, but down to earth, Angelique Fleming has always had to fight to get what she wanted in a world dominated by men and she has the chip on her shoulder to prove it. Which is why she takes great pleasure working at a local strip club, hoping to expose a few upstanding men of the community's naughty little secrets. But before she gets all the dirt, she's going to find out a few things about life, men and forgiveness that she thought she already knew.
Claudettte Thibodeaux Laurent comes from old New Orleans money and has always adhered to the family code: honor above all else. But she shocks polite society when she marries a man much younger than herself, a man everyone suspects is only after her money. But Claudette has done her duty to her family and now she wants a little happiness for herself. But eventually doubts begin to creep in and she isn't sure which Maurice loves more: her or her money as he begins to spend lavishly and neglects her family business. Just exactly how much is her happiness going to cost her?
Told with Francis Ray's trademark emotion and passion Somebody's Knocking at My Door is a story of betrayal and forgiveness, love and healing.
Praise for Francis Ray and
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
"Ray...lavishes detail and attention on her characters."
---Publishers Weekly
"Ray has written a novel with intrigue and humanity."
---Booklist"
"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow quickly pulls readers into the lives of her characters."
---Black Issues Book Review
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Denise has always been the faithful wife and dutiful mother. But the kids are grown and out of the house, and now she's ready to live a few dreams of her own. Her husband, Edward, however, would like to keep things just the way they are. Denise decides drastic measures are needed. When she drops the bomb at Thanksgiving that she is leaving Edward and selling the house, pandemonium erupts. Edward has his work cut out for him if he is to get back in their home and in their bed by Christmas.
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(Formally titled Fallen Angel)
Nine years ago, Michelle Grant was at rock bottom--until a chance meeting with a handsome stranger gave her hope...and her first delicious taste of passion. Now a successful businesswoman, Michelle still remembers the man she knew only as B.J. When fate brings them together again, the feelings she had for him come rushing back. But moments after meeting Brad Jamison, Michelle realizes that the caring man she once knew is now a hardened businessman without warmth or tenderness and, worse, he doesn't remember her. Michelle has fought all her life for what she wants, but winning Brad's love will be the most difficult task she's ever undertaken and the consequences could be disastrous for both of them.
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In her mind's eyes, she could see Wes, tall and elegant in his tailored tuxedo with a patterned vest, black tie, and snow white pocket square. Her red Valentino slip gown highlighted her honeyed complexion and chocolate brown eyes. The gown also picked up the red in Wes's vest and the red in the rose in his lapel.
They were the perfect couple and it was show time. And she wanted to scream.
Madison Reed, popular talk show host and America's darling and her husband, well-known TV correspondent Wes Reed is everyone's idea of the perfect couple. Bute knows that after the loss of their child, they became no more than polite strangers, maintaining the façade, revealing only picture perfect happiness. But Madison's world is turned upside down when Wes is critically injured in a car accident and a woman is killed. Before he dies, Wes confesses that the woman who was killed was his mistress---and that he is the father of her nine-month-old daughter, Manda. He begs Madison to raise the child. Unsure if she can, Madison struggles to take charge of her fate and put her life back together. Overwhelmed, she accepts the help of Zachary Holman, her husband's best friend, only to discover that his life is also shrouded by lies. Can she forgive and forget---not just once, but twice?
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St. Martin's Press (anthology) December 2002
Four of today's hottest writers contribute to this collection of African-American romance stories that proves there is more than one reason for gettin' merry during the holidays. Includes "The Wish" by Francis Ray, "Homecoming" by Beverly Jenkins, " The Way Back Home" by Monica Jackson, and "The Seventh Principle" by Geri Guillaume.
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Living Large
January 2003
by Rochelle Alers, Brenda Jackson, Donna Hill and Francis Ray
When you have a passion for love this big, bold, and beautiful, you're...LIVING LARGE
From four fabulous best-selling authors come four stories of women with a plus-size joy for life who find the best of everything in the most unexpected places.
Francis Ray's STRICTLY BUSINESS is anything but for Monica Jones, a plus-size Dallas gal who just put her ex out with the trash. Now a sexy work associate is making moves. She's heard the song before, so this time the man's got to play it like he means it.
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by Rochelle Alers (Editor), Gwynne Forster, Donna Hill, Francis Ray
Wedding bells ring-for true love...
Francis Ray's "Southern Comfort"
A bridesmaid for the eighth time, and not the bride, political fundraiser Adrienne Summers is fed up. Worse, she finds a major problem at this wedding--the Best Man. They're fighting about her clothes (too sexy), her behavior (too flirty), and his macho views (wives shouldn't work). It sounds like they just might be falling in love!
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Welcome to Leo's
by Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill , Brenda Jackson, and Francis Ray
2001 GPA recipient for Best Romantic Collection and tied for the Winner of the Romance Slam Jam's EMMA Award for Best Anthology
Stories in this anthology all take place in a Washington, D.C. supper club called Leo's, where patrons enjoy rich Southern food, drink in the soulful sounds of live jazz . . . and maybe even fall in love. Includes stories from authors Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson, and Francis Ray.
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by Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill, Felicia Mason, and Francis Ray
Four Novellas
STEP INSIDE FOR A DAY OF BEAUTY, LAUGHTER...AND LOVE.
Francis Ray turns a timid, dowdy duckling into a confident, sexy swan-and sends her into the arms of a handsome artist-with the help of Rosie's Curl and Weave...
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by Rochelle Alers, Donna Hill, Felicia Mason, and Francis Ray
Tied for the Winner of the Romance Slam Jam's EMMA Award for Best Anthology
Book Description
SPECIALIZING IN CUTS, WEAVES, MANICURES, PEDICURES...AND PASSION.
In Francis Ray's A Matter of Trust Single mother Hope Lassiter, once a critically acclaimed actress, is now a cosmetologist at Della's House of Style. When a handsome director tries to woo her back to the stage, Hope has to wonder if his intentions are more than professional...
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