Francis Ray

Francis Ray

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Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ms. Ray's titles consistently make bestseller's lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written fourteen single titles and eight anthologies. Two additional books are scheduled by the end of 2003. Seven books will be released in 2004. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, and The Atlantic Choice.

THE TURNING POINT, her first mainstream, was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award. At the release event for THE TURNING POINT in May 2001, she established The Turning Point Legal defense Fund to assist women of domestic violence to help restructure their lives. Nationally bestselling author Francis Ray has over twenty novels in print.

Not Even If You Begged
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Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (January 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312948174
ISBN-13: 978-0312948177
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches

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Widow Traci Evans happily sits in on meetings with the lovely ladies of the Invincible Sisterhood solely because they reached out to her first. A loner, Traci feels for the first time she belongs. All of the official members are sweet older women who have lost the love of their lives, their husbands. Unknown to them, Traci is more angry than she is grief-stricken because her husband died in the midst of cheating on her with another woman.

Her husband’s deception has hardened Traci’s heart so much that even close friend and next door neighbor Maureen can't convince her to open it again. But when a playful kiss with Maureen's gorgeous son Ryan turns passionate, Traci starts to rethink everything she knows about love.

Irresistible You (The Graysons, Book 4)
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by Francis Ray

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (March 6, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312939744

Pierce Grayson is a marked man: if his mother, Ruth, has her way, his carefree single days will soon be over. But Pierce isn’t going down without a fight. He’s ready to take action against his mama’s matchmaking…but what he’s completely unprepared for is the feeling that hits him when he meets Broadway actress Sabra Raineau. She’s in Santa Fe helping Ruth with a production at the University. With her luscious lips and long legs, Sabra is temptation personified—and Pierce isn’t in the habit of resisting temptation.

With Hollywood calling and another play in the works, Sabra has no time for romance. And, after one heartbreak too many, she’s happy to stay unattached. But Pierce has other ideas—the kind that can curl a girl’s toes. Sabra’s not above a little extracurricular activity, but she can’t afford to risk her heart on anything serious. Still, the closer she gets to Pierce, the harder it is to deny him—and to keep a secret that could tear them apart....

Any Rich Man Will Do
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ISBN: 0312324316
Format: Paperback, 272pp
Pub. Date: October 2005
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

In this new novel from the national bestselling author Francis Ray, a bad girl falls on hard times, and forgiveness and redemption are the only things she has left.

Broke and living in a shabby motel, beautiful bad girl Jana Franklin has become an outcast in the elite Dallas society she once ruled. With her divorce from wealthy Gray Livingston, her dubious past, and no skills to claim, Jana is unable to support herself. Without friends and without hope, she has no one she can depend on but herself.

Then one night she stumbles (literally!) into Olivia Maxwell's store, Midnight Dreams. There she meets Tyler Maxwell---the first man she can't maneuver, toy with, or fool. After this chance meeting, tough girl Jana learns that it takes more than scheming to get her man.

A Whole Lotta Love
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by Donna Hill, Monica Jackson, Francis Ray & Brenda Jackson

ISBN: 0451210905
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384pp
Pub. Date: January 2004
Publisher: N A L

Four bestselling authors deliver four larger-than-life stories of big, bold, and beautiful women looking for A Whole Lotta Love…

In Donna Hill’s Over the Rainbow, voluptuous restaurateur Jessica Morgan has been looking for love in all the wrong places. But then she poses for a plus-size magazine—and discovers, under the stars of a Caribbean night, that her soul mate may have been dining in her Harlem soul food restaurant the whole time.

In Brenda Jackson’s Tempting Fate, full- figured Virginia beauty Justice Manning is talked into a lingerie modeling job…and forgets her reservations after she meets the sinfully gorgeous photographer. When the shoot turns hot and heavy, the last thing she pictures is that lust might turn to love…

Monica Jackson shows Kansas City singer Topaz Sinclair what happens When Wishes Come True. Blowing out her birthday candles, the curvaceous bombshell has just one wish: to find true love. No one is more surprised than the birthday girl when someone from her past walks back into her life—looking for happily ever after.

Francis Ray helps a commitment-shy businessman realize that The Wright Woman can make all the difference. Stephanie Wright, assistant manager of an upscale Dallas boutique, is sexy, savvy, and a stunningly beautiful size twenty. But it will take everything she’s got to prove to her newest customer that they’re destined to make a perfect fit.

Trouble Don't Last Always (reissue of The Turning Point)
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by Francis Ray

ISBN: 0312321635
Format: Paperback, 320pp
Pub. Date: January 2004
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Lilly Crawford files for divorce from her abusive husband and hopes to start life anew in Louisiana with another man, but no such luck; her husband reappears and creates chaos.

"Trouble Don't Last Always is a story of hope and triumph, of self-discovery and second chances. I am very proud of this book which touches on a tough topic... domestic violence. However, rather than focusing on the abuse, Trouble Don't Last Always tells the a story of hope and triumph." —Francis Ray

Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree: A Holiday Novel
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by Donna Hill and Francis Ray

ISBN: 0312321953
Format: Hardcover, 160pp
Pub. Date: October 2003
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Tis the season to be merry and the Morrison family are about to have their lives turned upside down.

Denise has always been the faithful wife and dutiful mother. As a matter of fact, it seems that is all she has been in the twenty-plus years she and her husband, Edward have been married. But the kids are grown and out of the house and now she's ready to live a few dreams of her own. Edward, however, would like to keep things just the way they are and Denise realizes that if she doesn't do something drastic, then all she will ever be is a mother and a wife. So when she drops the bomb at Thanksgiving dinner that she is leaving their father and selling the house, everyone is stunned to say the least. And her announcement opens the door to Morrison Family Dysfunction 101. Edward is now living with his crazy aunt Etta and uncle Eddie, who's sex life is more active than his own; their daughter, Christine has moved back home because she suspects her husband is cheating on her; and their son, Anthony is simply dazed and confused. And in the midst of it all, Edward hatches a plan to get his wife back--no matter what. Not only does he plan to be back in their home and back in their bed, but come Christmas he and Denise will be Rockin' Around that Christmas Tree.

Somebody's Knocking at My Door
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by Francis Ray

Format: paperback, 368 pages
ISBN: 0-312-30734-9
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: May 1, 2003

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From Essence and Blackboard best-selling author Francis Ray comes a novel about a man's struggle to come to grips with his violent past in order to find love in the present.

Rafe still carries the physical and emotional scars of the abuse he suffered at his father's hands growing up. He has cut himself off from everyone who loves him and friends are a luxury he doesn't think he can afford. After all he is his father's son and it is only a matter of time before the violence he fears lurks beneath the surface, spills over. Then Kirsten Wakefield steps into his life and for the first time he finds himself longing to open his heart to someone. That is until he gets word that his father is dying and wants him to come back home. Old wounds are reopened and Rafe doesn't know if love is enough to make him whole again. Somebody's Knocking at My Door is a poignant and unforgettable sequel to Trouble Don't Last Always (reissue of The Turning Point) that will speak to every reader's heart.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
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by Francis Ray

Format: paperback, 352 pages
ISBN: 0-312-30050-6
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: April 2002

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Madison Reed, popular talk show host never imagined that her life would be turned upside down forever when her husband, Wesley dies in a tragic car accident. True they had been no more than polite strangers, but she is shocked to her core when Wes confesses that has a daughter, a nine-month-old daughter by his long-time lover, who also died in the car crash and begs her to care for Manda. Now she is not even sure if she can trust Zachary, her husband's best friend, the man who had been privy to all his secrets. But it's his strength that gets her through the rough times. And as she grows closer and closer to this child, she finds herself also drawn a man who's past is shrouded in lies. Together they must learn to face the truth if they ever hope to heal the pain.

"Definitely recommended." --- New York Times best-selling author, Eric Jerome Dickey

"With flair, Francis Ray gives each character immense heart and humanity. . ." --- Yolanda Joe, author of This Just In

Living Large
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Featuring all-new novellas by: Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, Francis Ray & Brenda Jackson

ISBN: 0451207653
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384pp
Pub. Date: January 2003
Publisher: N A L

"When you have a passion for love this big, bold, and beautiful, you're...LIVING LARGE"

From four fabulous bestselling authors come four stories of women with a plus-size joy for life who find the best of everything in the most unexpected places.

Until There Was You
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ISBN: 1583141766
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 315pp
Pub. Date: August 2000
Publisher: BET Books

After surviving a traumatic assault, author Catherine Stewart seeks refuge in a mountain cabin, where she helps others in need. Luke Grayson isn't too happy to find he has a roommate at the cabin, but he becomes drawn to Catherine's unselfishness. As their mutual attraction grows, they must face their pain and mistrust to love completely.

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