You Live, You Love -- Naomi Gaffney was only eight-years-old the day they found her Momma's body -- and a part of her died too. Then the police took her daddy away. It wasn't enough that he was already one of the most hated men in Eden, North Carolina. Now he was also labeled a murderer. Twenty-one years later, Naomi's father remains in jail, and she's still not sure if he's guilty of a crime of passion, or if he's simply an innocent victim of southern justice. In fact, there isn't much Naomi is sure about these days...

And If You're Smart, You Learn... & Raised by a cruel aunt, Naomi married young to escape her bitter household. But all she got was more heartache with her controlling husband. She knows she's too smart and pretty to waste away in a dead small town. Naomi yearns to feel alive once again. Her childhood taught her that adultery can be deadly, but when a handsome young man offers her everything she craves, Naomi finds that some lessons are more easily learned than others...

Twenty-five-year-old Jamal King is a talented up-and-coming painter, a devoted grandson, and a dedicated friend and lover to his girl, Jessica. Maybe because his mother was always out of town, looking for - or running away from - something, Jamal really wants to create a family of his own. In fact, he'd like Jessica to be his Ms. Right, but her gold-digger ways make her seem more like Ms. Right Now. Jessie has her own childhood wounds - difference is, she thinks money can heal them. Still, Jamal is feeling positive about their future - until a night at a mutual friend's party quickly shatters his illusions...

Word is that Trey Bryant's parties can rival a Hollywood event - and he's got the cash flow to match. Trey calls himself a businessman, but his business is drugs - and he's no real friend either. It doesn't take long for Jamal to see that Trey, and his high-priced lifestyle, seduced Jessie long before they even rolled into his immense driveway.

Jessie soon realizes that while Trey has been spoiling her with expensive gifts, hooking up with him has spoiled a lot more - maybe her whole life. It's the choice she made, and she can't burden Jamal with her troubles now - especially when his beloved uncle dies and reveals a shocking secret. As all Jamal's relationships are called into question, he starts to realize that some loves are worth following, even when you don't know where the path is taking you.

Sexy, smart, and always entertaining, this absorbing novel takes us on a moving trip through life's - and love's - crazy ups and downs...