Three passionate and sensitive contemporary romance novels from an Essence–bestselling author and “powerful, prolific, and remarkable writer” (Eric Jerome Dickey). From breaking ground as Harlequin’s first African American writer to her mainstream success with The Color of Love and many other acclaimed novels, Essence–bestselling author Sandra Kitt “continues to shatter stereotypes and open doors for writers and readers of popular women’s fiction” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune). Her work has received a range of honors, including the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, the Zora Neale Hurston Award, and an NAACP Image Award nomination. In the three contemporary love stories collected here, Kitt’s storytelling continues to be “bold and imaginative . . . sure to keep readers turning the pages” (E. Lynn Harris). The Next Best Thing: April Stockwood’s dream getaway to Venice gets off to a rocky start when her passport is stolen. But her bad luck turns into good fortune when she reconnects with Hayden Calloway, a diplomat with the American consulate. Hayden was April’s greatest crush when they attended high school together in Philadelphia. Suddenly, her Italian vacation is heating up. Has April finally found the passport to true love, halfway around the world? She’s the One: After the sudden death of an old friend she hasn’t seen in years, Deanna Lindsay is shocked to discover that she has been designated guardian of Stacy’s biracial daughter, Jade. New York firefighter Patterson Temple feels a sense of responsibility for the orphaned girl and doubts that a single career woman is the right person to care for her. As Deanna and Patterson struggle with their preconceptions about each other, their mutual concern for Jade gradually draws them closer. Significant Others: With her youthful appearance and light skin, African American high school counselor Patricia Gilbert knows how it feels to be treated like an outsider. So when a biracial fifteen-year-old boy becomes the target of bullies, she’s determined to help. Morgan Baxter finds being a single father to the troubled teenager a daunting challenge. But Patricia seems to understand his son—and him—presenting him with a new challenge: falling in love.