The Fight Within — Tiana Laveen

WARNING: This book contains adult language and content. It is for adults only. In Sean Mahoney's world, things are black and white, good or bad, right or wrong, with a healthy dose of good cheer. A hard-working garbage collector from Queens, New York by day, and dedicated college student and acclaimed kick boxer by night, he appears to be an open book. But, in reality, he hides past trauma and emotional pain that threaten to take him under. However, one day, the very thing he abhors becomes too irresistible to pass up--a mature, divorced woman by the name of Treasure Chambers who turns his world upside down. Treasure and Sean's first meeting is full of spirited venom as the sarcastic garbage collector sizes her up in ways she hadn't anticipated. She fights the attraction and his advances, for she has two children from a marriage that burnt to the ground, leaving a hole in her heart that seemed impossible to heal. Over time, socio-economic and racial disparities become the very issues that bring them together. As their feelings for one another grow, they are met with doubt, opposition, judgment, and a call to action to help heal themselves, and each other. Will Sean be able to convince his most precious jewel he is worth taking a chance on as he reveals his true self? A fight within ensues to build trust from the ground up, but will Love win in the end?