Proudly hailing from Compton, USA, sixteen-year-old Jayd Jackson is no stranger to drive-by shootings or run-ins with the friendly neighborhood crackhead. Street-smart, book-smart, and life-smart, she's nobody's fool-least of all KJ's, the most popular and cutest basketball jock at South Bay High, aka Drama High. Yes, it's a fact, Jayd fell hard for his player ways for a time, but now that KJ's shown his true colors-dumping Jayd because she refused to give up the cookies-she's through with him and his game playing for good.

Jayd just wants to start her Junior year of high school drama free. But wanting ain't getting, especially at a place like Drama High, a predominately white high school in a wealthy part of Los Angeles, where Jayd and 30 other Compton kids get bussed to daily. Saying race relations aren't what they should be would be putting it mildly, and that's just the beginning of the drama. Jayd's first day back to school, KJ's new girlfriend, Trecee, steps to her wanting to fight. Egged on by Misty, Jayd's former best friend-turned-nemesis, Trecee wants to make Jayd understand that KJ is off limits-even if she has to do it with her fists. With the fight set for Friday, and the sistah drama at an all time high, Jayd is about to learn who's really got her back and more importantly, when she's got to watch it. But at least she can always count on Mama, and her mystical bag of tricks.

Drama High is a remarkably assured debut, and L. Divine is a tantalizing and refreshing new voice. Jayd and her bold, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny assessment of life, along with her quirky cast of friends, classmates, loves, her magical family and eccentric neighbors make for an irresistible, can't-put-it-down read.

Nancy Drew meets P-Valley as an Atlanta reporter investigates the gruesome ritualistic murder of a dancer at the female-owned strip club where she herself worked years before. Acclaimed author L. Divine makes her adult debut in this thrilling, sexy new series for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Kirstin Chen's Counterfeit, and All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris.

When Keke starts looking into secretive stripper Monaka's grisly death, she's instantly caught between her past and her present. Through The Honey Pot club owner Honey Mama Thiboudeaux, Keke found refuge from the streets, earned much money from her stage persona Brandy, and got a chance at a new life all her own. Her bombshell exposé about the club launched her reporting career. But it caused a bitter, seemingly irrevocable split between her, the only family she's ever known--and Drew, the one man Keke won't admit she's never gotten over . . .

At Honey Mama request's, Keke goes undercover as Brandy to find the truth before political pressures shut the progressive club down for good. But Keke has to watch more than her back when she finds Monaka had an unshakable, dangerously elusive stalker, an illicit club sideline--and vicious conflicts with rival dancers. Even more explosive, Keke's persistence is putting her at odds with Drew, now a police detective working this case . . . and the secrets she herself can no longer hide.

Now with the clock fast ticking down, Keke must tantalize the killer with the one lure he--or she--can't resist. But using fantasy as a trap could put more than her pursuit of justice on the line--it risks ending her career and life for good . . .

It's official: South Bay High's finest, Jayd Jackson, and its coolest white boy, Jeremy Weiner, are a couple. And if that's not enough interracial drama for South Bay's mostly white, wealthy student body, Jayd and her bold, beautiful, black renaissance crew have more on the way....
Friends and teachers at South Bay High may be hating, but Jayd and Jeremy are falling in love, and if anyone has a problem with their happiness, especially an ex who's back in Jayd's life aiming to sweep her off her feet--well, that's no surprise. This is Drama High after all. And Jayd is no stranger to controversy--it's in her blood, and it seems it's in her girl Nellie's blood too.
Homecoming is just around the corner, and South Bay High has never had a black princess, queen, or royalty of any kind for any event. But Jayd's girl Nellie isthat's about to change that. The Drama Club is sponsoring Nellie to run for the junior class, hoping to give the Cheerleaders and Athletes a run for their money. If Nellie wins, she'll make history. In fact, Nellie is so deep in the zone, Jayd's afraid she'll forget to watch her back because the students of South Bay are serious about their crowns. As Nellie's chances for victory heat up, so does the hostility from the smartass opposition. Nellie may be flying too high to notice, but Jayd can see the drama coming. And as usual, she's on it--with a little help from her magical Mama and her mystical ancestors, of course.

For South Bay High's bold, beautiful Jayd Jackson, drama has reached record-breaking heights as she finds herself on the defensive at home, work, and school. Maybe it's time to take her destiny--and her power--into her own hands. . .

Her relationship with now-ex boyfriend Jeremy behind her, Jayd realizes drama is just a never-ending part of daily life. Even so, she's reached her limit, battling with her new boss, jealousies at school, and tensions at home. To deal with it all, Jayd is ready to give some attention to her legacy as one in a long line of conjure women. But that legacy comes with a line of rivals too--and a couple of them are much too close to home.

First, there's Misty, Jayd's enemy #1 and current girlfriend of Jayd's other ex, KJ. Then there's Jayd's neighbor, Esmeralda, a conjurer from Louisiana whose crystal-clear blue eyes are said to be deadly. When Jayd spots Misty's mom visiting Esmeralda, she knows something's up and it's time for Mama to fill her in. Turns out there's a history between these families, and if Jayd wants to keep the drama under control, she'll have to learn to use her power like never before--and become the woman she was born to be.

Just as South Bay High's Jayd Jackson is feeling good that her two main social circles have finally come together, drama takes over once more, and the usual suspects are involved. . .

These days, family and relationship drama is the name of the game in Jayd's life--from her fighting uncles on the home front to her friend Mickey's possible pregnancy--aka her maybe baby--to a vengeful plan being plotted by Misty, Jayd's nemesis, over a highly personal problem. In fact, Jayd may have to do some plotting of her own to keep her crew safe from Misty's drama. Meanwhile, Rah is trying to get closer to Jayd, but she won't be his rebound girl. Everything comes to a head when Jayd's ex, Jeremy, asks to play basketball with Rah and the others and is told that a white boy can't ball. Jeremy proves them wrong, but will that be enough for them to let him on the team for an important game? Or will ego and stereotyping win? It's almost more than Jayd can take--until her Mama reminds her of her powerful lineage. Now it's time for Jayd to catch up on her spirit work, and confront some powerful emotions of her own. . .

South Bay High wouldn't be such a bad place to go to school if it weren't for all the drama. Not that Jayd Jackson's helping matters. She's right there in the center of it all--whether she wants to be or not. Maybe it just goes with the turf. After all, there's a reason they call this place Drama High. . .

Jayd doesn't know what's going on with her girl, Nellie. Ever since she got named homecoming princess, she's been acting like Mickey and Jayd aren't her friends anymore, and she's even falling in deeper with Tania and her crew. It's amazing the girl can fit her new crown over that big head of hers.

And then there's Jayd's boyfriend Jeremy. His aloof attitude is really getting on her nerves. Jayd's even starting to question his commitment, not to mention her own. Especially since lately, all she can think about is Rah--and that surprise kiss he planted on her the other day. . .

Jayd Jackson hopes her magical Mama has a spell to chase all her cares away. . .

Jayd needs time to recoup from her dramatic school year, but time is the one thing she doesn't have. She's said yes to becoming a debutante, and now she has to deal with her girl Mickey's jealousy--on top of babysitting, hair braiding, cheer camp, and a summer writing class. With the stress of Jayd's hectic schedule, strange visions, and insomnia, luckily Mama returns from her vacation in time to help Jayd and her crew avert real drama. Mama's convinced something sinister is at play, and they both need a plan to get Jayd her swagger back before it's too late. . .

If only there was a potion to make all Jayd Jackson's troubles disappear...

Even though Jayd's finished with the AP exams and finally has some space of her own at her mother's house, she's got to deal with the drama all around her. Mickey blames Jayd for her ruined baby shower; Rah, her ex, is bristling over her renewed relationship with beach boy Jeremy; and her #1 frenemy, Misty, is hard at work conjuring trouble. With so much going on, it's hard for Jayd to concentrate on her spirit lessons and hair braiding business. But Jayd's determined to push back and claim some peace for herself, 'cause focusing on the gift from her ancestors could hold the key to bringing the chaos under control for good...

Misty and the rest of Esmeralda's evil brood are busy concocting a sinister plan to not only destroy Jayd and the rest of her powerful lineage, but Esmeralda and Rousseau are also using their powers to take over G's drug business. Mama's in and out of a dangerous dream state due to Esmeralda's wicked manipulation and unable to properly shut her evil neighbor down. Jayd's left to deal with her own clients, Mama's spirit business, and her drama-filled friends' lives. Somehow Jayd still finds time to manage her busy school schedule, getting to know her new beau, Keenan better, and spending more time with her best friend, Chase. Will Jayd crash and burn under the pressure, or will she grow into the young and powerful priestess she's destined to become?

It's almost Valentine's Day at South Bay High, but romance is the last thing on Jayd Jackson's mind. . .

If Cupid had his way, love would be in the air at South Bay High. But even though Valentine's Day is around the corner, no one's having an easy time of it--especially not Jayd Jackson, who lost her mojo after her friend Tre's shooting. Worn out by Tre's death--and sick of the same old drama with Rah--Jayd's suddenly ruining her clients' hair and feeling alienated from her friends. And to make things worse, she's got to watch her back because her nemesis, Misty, is plotting her ruin.

Good thing Jayd has her magical Mama on her side. Because to protect herself and bring her crew back together, Jayd will need more than her inner strength. She'll need the help of her gifted ancestors. . .

A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

South Bay High's Jayd Jackson finally has her own ride, but that sure doesn't mean her troubles are over. . .

These days, Jayd just can't seem to get a break. Her car is more trouble than it's worth; her girl Mickey is being forced to attend continuation school; and Rah and his ex Sandy are still arguing.

Despite these distractions, Jayd concentrates on making potions for hair and developing her own signature braid technique, which is getting her a lot of respect and money. But then school starts up again, and with it comes more drama. If Jayd wants to keep it all under control, she'll have to look deep into herself and take her destiny into her own hands. . .

For Jayd Jackson, a new school takes the drama to a new level. . .

With her senior year just beginning, Jayd's drama is going nowhere anytime soon. Although she's graduated to the next level with her powers, she's also going head-to-head with her former best friend, Misty. Jayd's also got to deal with the aftermath of the debutante ball, her boyfriend's cheating, and her ex-boyfriend/best guy friend Rah's continuing baby mama drama. Luckily, when her crew gets to be too much, Jayd can turn to her new crush Keenan, a UCLA first draft football pick, for a time out. Jayd's got to keep a cool head now more than ever because there's a new enemy waiting to pounce if she lets down her guard . . .

In Jayd Jackson's world, the end is just the beginning... If only life could always be as sweet as Jayd's dreams. Mama, although back at home, is still not completely out of the woods, Nellie's boyfriend is showing his true colors more often than not all over Nellie's body, Mickey's relentless in her denying Nigel of any custodial rights to their daughter, and just when Jayd thought that she'd finally gotten over Rah he comes back to haunt her in the most personal way possible. With all of the drama going on around her Jayd barely has time to focus on her ever-increasing schoolwork let alone her spiritual development or her budding romance with Chase. In the end, Jayd pulls in all the right resources to handle business once and for all but will this be the end of the drama, as she knows it, or is it too good to be true?

Ever since she discovered a love for drag racing, it's full speed ahead for Jayd Jackson. . .

Fed up with the way her school's handling Cultural Awareness Day, Jayd and her crew decide to form the first African Student Union. Now some notorious haters are out for blood. But that's not the only multicultural activity Jayd's got cooking. On the boy front, Jayd discovers she loves being behind the wheel of her friends' hot rods, but she can't deny her attraction for Emilio, the new Latino sophomore at South Bay High. Emilio seems to be crushin' hard on Jayd too. And now that Jayd may be South Bay's last virgin, she wonders if it's time to take things to the next level.

But her magical grandmother thinks Jayd's already moving too fast--and if she doesn't slow down, she's sure to get burned...

Jayd Jackson's about to take the most important test of her life. . .

With the Advanced Placement exams coming up, Jayd can't afford any distractions. Enter Rah's baby mama, the master of stirring up trouble. Despite her best intentions, Jayd gets entangled in the drama and fails her pre-test exam. Knowing it's time to get her act together, she joins a study group on campus, sharpens her skills--and meets a whole new crew. Unfortunately, Jayd's the only one who's happy about her newfound study habits and newfound friends. Her old crew is suddenly full of haters--and even Mama's giving her a hard time. Just when it seems things can't get any worse, Misty starts talking smack, hoping to destroy Jayd once and for all.

Now Jayd's wondering if the real test is whether she's ready to say goodbye to the old and move on up and out. . .

Sometimes a girl's got to take matters into her own hands...After defeating her grandmother's closest enemy, Jayd Jackson's world should be simpler, but not a chance-especially not with a crew like hers. With Mickey and G on the run, Nigel being sued by Nellie's abusive boyfriend, David, Jeremy back in trouble with the law thanks to his vengeful wifey, Cameron, and Mama slacking on the job to keep her man, Jayd has no time to focus on the normal things that every high school senior should be doing. Thankfully she still has her best guy friend, Chase, in her corner, who is none the wiser to all of the drama that he recently endured at the hands of Jayd's evil neighbor, Esmeralda, who just won't rest in peace or let Jayd get any rest at all. In order to regain her sanity, Jayd decides to go completely rogue in her personal, professional, and spiritual lives. But can she really let go of it all, or will her natural inclination to alter events for the sake of her friends and family take over once again, also giving way to her darker side? Jayd's the only person who can see herself through this mess, but in order to do so she has to regain control of her dreams before they ultimately control her.

At South Bay High, the drama just keeps on growing...In the long-awaited 15th volume of the Drama High series, StreetSoldiers picks up with a murder in front of Jayd's grandparents' house. Mama and Daddy are convinced the police have the wrong suspect in custody and have joined forces to help organize the neighborhood and find the real killer. Mickey's ex-boyfriend has been arrested for the gruesome act, which is more like their wicked next-door neighbor, Esmeralda, and her shape-shifting boyfriend, Rousseau's handiwork. And to make matters worse, Esmeralda's influence in the community is growing stronger every day, and so are the powers of her top apprentices and Jayd's best frenemies, Misty and Emilio. With two of Jayd's closest friends, Mickey and Nigel at war over the custody of Mickey's daughter, Jayd's ex-boyfriend, Rah going back to hisex-girlfriend, Trish without Jayd's knowledge, and having to witnessher most recent love, Jeremy pretend to date her newest enemy, Cameron, Jayd's had just about all the drama she can take and it'sonly the beginning of their senior year. Keenan, her new collegecoffee buddy, is the only one who can take her mind off of her chaoticlife. Jayd decides that it's time to make some changes and get rid ofanyone-and anything-holding her back

A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Between Christmas, the annual Fall Festival, and baby-mama issues, South Bay High is vibrating with activity, excitement, and drama. . .

The holidays are coming, along with all the madness and materialism that comes with them. As usual, Jayd is just trying to stay sane while everyone around her is losing it. Mickey's got a major secret and Jayd's girl Nellie is trying to stir up trouble with her loose lips. Vengeful Laura is trying to undermine Jayd's performance in the school production of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. Rah's baby mama, Sandy, is trying to keep him from seeing his daughter. And that's just for starters. Worst of all, Jayd's grandmother warns her that serious trouble is on the way. Between a spiritual cleansing, a potion, and the mystical support of her gifted ancestors, will Jayd be able to stop all this homegirl drama in its tracks?

Nancy Drew meets P-Valley as an Atlanta reporter investigates the gruesome ritualistic murder of a dancer at the female-owned strip club where she herself worked years before. Acclaimed author L. Divine makes her adult debut in this thrilling, sexy new series for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Kirstin Chen's Counterfeit, and All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris.

When Keke starts looking into secretive stripper Monaka's grisly death, she's instantly caught between her past and her present. Through The Honey Pot club owner Honey Mama Thiboudeaux, Keke found refuge from the streets, earned much money from her stage persona Brandy, and got a chance at a new life all her own. Her bombshell exposé about the club launched her reporting career. But it caused a bitter, seemingly irrevocable split between her, the only family she's ever known--and Drew, the one man Keke won't admit she's never gotten over . . .

At Honey Mama request's, Keke goes undercover as Brandy to find the truth before political pressures shut the progressive club down for good. But Keke has to watch more than her back when she finds Monaka had an unshakable, dangerously elusive stalker, an illicit club sideline--and vicious conflicts with rival dancers. Even more explosive, Keke's persistence is putting her at odds with Drew, now a police detective working this case . . . and the secrets she herself can no longer hide.

Now with the clock fast ticking down, Keke must tantalize the killer with the one lure he--or she--can't resist. But using fantasy as a trap could put more than her pursuit of justice on the line--it risks ending her career and life for good . . .

Nancy Drew meets P-Valley in a unique blend of thrilling crime fiction, timely social commentary, and the power of sisterhood in this captivating homage to the lesser dead for readers of Rachel Howzell Hall, Kellye Garrett, Wanda M. Morris, and Denise Mina. When former Atlanta stripper-turned-reporter Keke McCoy finds fame after solving the gruesome ritualistic murder of a fellow dancer, she's tapped to investigate the unsolved disappearance of underage dancers from her teenage stomping grounds, The Pimp Palace.

Keke's head is still spinning--and not just because of the hit she took securing a bombshell confession for her last story. On top of her full-time job with The Metro Journal, Keke now has an online column devoted to exposing unsolved murders of young people of color. She's also freelancing as an investigative journalist in Indian Springs, where she maintains her rekindled relationship with her former employer and mentor, Honey Pot club owner Evangeline HoneyMama Thibodeaux.
Keke's Metro boss, Charlie, isn't impressed with her extracurricular fame, but she's soon back at her teenage stomping grounds, The Pimp Palace, where several off-the-books, underage dancers have gone missing under suspicious circumstances. When she unearths troubling connections between some of the cases, Keke calls on the assistance of Detective Drew Lewis--her former man, occasional lover--and maybe her future . . .

To up their game, Keke and Drew realize they need someone on the inside. Keke recruits Dulce, a talented Honey Pot dancer and one of the victim's girlfriends who helped to crack the last case. Even HoneyMama is willing to put her neck on the line--again--to find out what happened, since several of the victims' belongings included her contact information.

With a common mission, all involved dive down a very dangerous, very corrupt rabbit hole no one saw coming--except the mastermind who anxiously awaits their fall--especially Keke's . . .