Daaimah S. Poole

Daaimah S. Poole

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Meet Daaimah S. Poole

Daaimah S Poole began writing Yoyo Love in the fall of 1997: I’ve always loved reading novels but was tired of only reading about characters with fabulous careers, their marriages or divorces. That is when I decided to write about people closer to my age. I figured I wasn’t the only one interested in reading about a young woman not yet established, nor married.

When I decided to begin writing, I purchased a black and white copybook and wrote every time I had a chance; in class, at work and after work until I filled three copy books. After finishing the story I started typing. At that time I didn’t have a computer so I spent countless hours in the computer lab at school, typing until the library would close. My time wasn’t only spent in school and on writing, I was also being a mother to a 2 year old and working. My jobs would range from customer service to car sales. It didn’t matter what I was doing, I still managed to focus on my writing.

When I completed typing my manuscript, I began sending it to countless literary agents. All of their responses were basically the same…"not interested". After three years of rejections, I was ready to give up when I decided to send my manuscript to one more person, Karen E. Quinones Miller, author of Satin Doll.

I had met Karen at a book signing and she told me to email her in reference to self publishing. Within weeks, Karen called me and told me she read my book in one night, she thought it was really good and was very interested in publishing my work.

Karen E. Quinones Miller published my book under her company, Oshun Publishing of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yoyo Love did very well independently, which lead to the purchase and re-release by Kensington Publishing of New York.

Diamond Playgirls
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Paperback: 356 pages
Publisher: Dafina (December 18, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758223560

Four beautiful, professional women, living on separate floors of a Harlem brownstone are about to discover they have a lot more in common than just their address…

Dior’s name is no accident—she’s got a taste for the finer things in life, and New York City is just the place to find them. So far she’s got the job and the apartment. Now she needs the man—and she hopes she’s found him on the Internet. Dior is prepared to find out on Valentine’s Day...

Party promoter Tamara has been recruited from Atlanta to open a hot new club. All the women in her family are known for their great looks, great cooking—and the fact that they can’t stay married. Tamara is hoping to break that tradition. But is dating three different men the best strategy?

With beauty, brains, and a hefty bank account, Chloe is a BAP on a mission: she wants to run a top magazine. But just as she’s up for a big promotion her boyfriend gives her an ultimatum. Will Chloe choose to follow her ambition—or her heart?

Casting director Mona-Lisa works hard—and plays even harder. She’s avoided relationships her whole life. When a tragedy opens her eyes to the possibility of true love, she’s compelled to share a special day with a man from her past. But she’s overlooked some crucial details…

One by one, each woman crosses paths at a local club on Valentine’s Day—and the secrets about to be revealed will forever change their lives...

Daaimah S. Poole was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University in 2003 with a degree in journalism. She wrote her first novel, which became an Essence bestseller, at the age of 19 while working as a receptionist at her aunt’s beauty salon.

Author, Miasha

Miasha, also a Philadelphia native, worked as a fashion model before graduating from Temple University in 2003 with a degree in communications. She has been featured in local and national magazines including Essence and Vibe, and on numerous radio shows including “The Wendy Williams Experience.”

Deja King was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in California, Maryland, and North Carolina. Her first novel, Bitch, really struck a chord with young, hip-hop urban readers; it has gone back to press and is currently Triple Crown’s bestselling book.

T. Styles was born in the southeast section of Washington, D.C. and raised in Houston, Texas. She learned about street life the hard way—she lived it—and now pours her experience into her writing.

All I Want Is Everything
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Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Dafina (August 28, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 075822060X

Essence® bestselling author Daaimah S. Poole took readers on a wild, sexy ride with her novel Ex-Girl to the Next Girl. Now in All I Want is Everything we meet a young woman with a hot voice and superstar dreams…

Talented Kendra Michelle Thomas always dreamed of becoming a singing sensation. At high school talent shows, she moved people to tears. Everyone thought she’d be the next Mariah Carey. But between Kendra’s father abandoning her mother, her mother’s alcoholism, and a tragedy that lands Kendra and her siblings in foster care, there’s not much opportunity for making dreams come true. Before Kendra knows it, she’s twenty-five-years-old, working as a bartender, and trapped in a relationship of convenience. She knows something’s gotta give...

Determined to break into the industry, Kendra takes her small savings and makes a demo. Her gift and personality soon get her a manager, a series of gigs, and finally a recording contract—plus a check fat enough to move her family into a house, and then some. But when a turn of events lands her right back where she started from, she’ll have to make a choice: sink back into obscurity—or discover what she’s really made of...

Ex-Girl to the Next Girl
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Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Dafina (April 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758209177

Essence® bestselling author Daaimah S. Poole grabbed readers with the sharp, sexy characters she created for Got a Man. In her sizzling new novel, a lot has changed in the wild lives of three young couples—including their partners—and the game of love is moving faster than ever…

Ever since Shonda stole Malik from his fiancée—at the altar, no less—she’s believed that marrying him would be her ticket to happiness. But when he finally steps up and makes it happen, Shonda is in for a rude awakening. From the day he moves his ex-convict brother into their basement, to the day he loses his job, things go downhill. To top it off, Shonda suspects he’s playing around. But when Shonda starts breaking the rules at her job as a county prison corrections officer, things go from bad to worse…

Meanwhile, Malik’s ex-fiancée, Kim, has had a year to get over the nightmare that was supposed to be her wedding day. On the verge of a breakdown, she gets professional help and manages to pull it together—despite the news that Malik actually married the bitch who spoiled her nuptials. Just as she opens up to the idea of a new life and a new love, Kim meets a new man…who happens to be white. Is he the one she’s been looking for? Kim will have to look past her own issues about race to find out.

After two years with her boyfriend Rodney, Nadine Clark is feeling restless. The twenty-five-year-old wants to see what else—meaning who else—is out there. But Nadine soon discovers the single life isn’t what she’d imagined. Rodney, on the other hand, is having the time of his life with a new girlfriend. Dejected, Nadine takes up with Malik—a man she believes is single, because that’s what he told her. But when his wife, Shonda, confronts her at work, everything hits the fan…and soon everyone involved is coming face-to-face with the shocking truths—and some crazy consequences—that come with getting what they wished for…

Kiss the Year Goodbye
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Mass Market Paperback: 358 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (December 31, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416527095

New Year's Eve is the time to make a naughty resolution, so shed your inhibitions and indulge in this sultry collection of escapades from four of the hottest writers around.

In Brenda L. Thomas's "Every New Year," a shoot-out lands a respected doctor in the hospital with a bad case of amnesia, and in the care of a man too sexy to resist.

In "Whatever It Takes" by Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker, a sassy older woman tries to break off her steamy relationship with her best friend's twenty-three-year-old son, but he shows her he's man enough to fulfill her needs.

Crystal Lacey Winslow proves you can be "Dangerously in Love" when a prim and proper young woman's wild side takes over after the man she's dating slips up with another woman.

In "My Boo" by Daaimah S. Poole, a Philly girl's long-distance boyfriend never has time for her — not even around the holidays. So when her ex-roommate's latest lover comes knocking, she's ready to get the party started.

What's Real
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Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Dafina (November 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758209150

Philadelphia twentysomethings Janelle, Natalie, and Tanya are gonna lose it if they don’t get a break from their dull daily routines. Janelle has had it with her boring job as assistant manager at a clothing store. As for Natalie, with a baby to take care of and a husband who won’t even change a diaper, she needs a time-out. Tanya is just looking for a good time and a man with a big, thick . . . wallet.

Given the chance, these girls like to play, and their playground of choice is Miami. Almost as soon as they hit the beach they find themselves drawn into a fast-moving, flashy world of rappers, ballers, celebrities, and VIPs with cash to burn. But before this wild ride is over, they just may find that all that glitters ain’t gold, and a good reality is worth way more than a fleeting fantasy . . . .

Got A Man
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Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758202423

Twenty-six-year-old Kimberly Vanessa Brown is no ordinary single mom. Pregnant with her second child, she’s got a career, a college degree—and enough common sense to know that her boyfriend, Malik, may not be ready for fatherhood. But when Malik surprises her with a marriage proposal, it seems that Kim’s got her man for the long haul. Or does she?

Despite his honorable intentions, Malik can’t seem to stay clear of other women. When Shonda Robinson, the shapely new receptionist at the law firm where Malik works as a paralegal, comes on strong to him, his resolve finally crumbles, along with his heart—and his future plans.

Shonda may not be the most moral—or discreet—person around, but she knows a good thing when she’s got it. That good thing is her love for Malik, and she intends to keep it at all costs. Unfortunately, she’s not the only who feels that way. What follows is an emotional roller coaster ride of changing plans, changing partners—and a surprising change of heart—as three people wrestle with what’s right, what’s wrong—and what’s real.

Yo Yo Love
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Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (December 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758202393

Meet Kayla Simone Johnson a hip, sophisticated, twenty-year-old Temple University student with everything she wants, but a man. Not that she doesn't meet guys who seem like good prospects -- like the college basketball star who seems destined for the pros. Or the engineering student -- a Kappa no less -- who showers her with attention. But they're all losers. Big time.Then Kayla meets Wil -- a twenty six year old building contractor whos' got it going on. He drives a Ford Expedition, buys her expensive gifts, and swear his undying love. Wil's definitely Da Bomb! The explosions go off when Kayla finds out he has his own issues. But, see, Kayla just ain't the type to sit back and let a good thing get away.