Alright, ladies, gather around for Thou Shalt Love, one of those spicy romance books that takes romance to a whole new level of realness! This steamy story dives deep into raw truths about love, sex addiction, abuse, and the unyielding bonds of family. It is so real that it slowly leans into women’s fiction.

We all know family is supposed to be that warm, fuzzy blanket of love and support, right? Like hot fish pepper soup and fufu on a rainy Liberian afternoon, or hot chocolate in winter, for my Western readers. But what happens when that blanket has holes, the pepper soup or chocolate is cold, or worse, someone is secretly spiking it with edibles? That is where my debut novel, Thou Shalt Love, the first book in the “Thou Shalt Trilogy,” comes in!

This isn’t just another title on the shelf of spicy romance books. Thou Shalt Love is emotional, bold, and utterly unforgettable. This book is not your grandma’s Sunday sermon, unless your grandma is Louise, who is a walking, talking matriarchal force of nature! We all love Grandma Louise. But we are talking about Mildred and Susan Carter, two fierce, fabulous, and hilariously flawed women who are trying to live their best lives while dodging more curveballs than Warren McAllister, a professional baseball player from Who is Ma Kemah?

Hidden sex addiction? Oh, honey, yes! Domestic abuse that makes your family squabbles look like a tea party? You betcha! But through all the chaos, the one thing that holds them all together is family. Because, let’s be real, who else will keep you sane (or push you to the brink, depending on the time of day) when everything else is falling apart? This is the kind of family drama Thou Shalt Love delivers in every chapter. It doesn’t let you catch your breath or relax. It’s the kind of deep, raw storytelling spicy romance books are meant to give you.

Imagine this: You are Mildred, a high-powered corporate lawyer, basically living the dream. Then your boyfriend, Jimmy (bless his cotton socks), decides to pull a disappearing act that would make Houdini proud. Six months of no calls, no texts, not even a thirsty DM! Seriously, Jimmy? Did he fall into a black hole of bad decisions? Well… maybe. He ghosted Mildred and left her wondering what went wrong. We all know how painful that can be.

But if you thought Mildred was a saint, think again. Mildred has a secret tighter than her corporate bun. She is a “closet sex addict.” Yep, you heard that right! She is all of that in a society where women are supposed to be prim and proper. Mildred has some urges that need scratching, sometimes with her trusted bestie, “Lady D.” Mildred’s secret is like a ticking time bomb, making her feel guilty and wondering if her “dirty little secrets” are why Jimmy ghosted her. Talk about self-sabotage with a side of internalized shame! Thou Shalt Love is one of those spicy romance books that actually has a heart, lays her sex addiction journey bare with raw honesty, compassion, and humor.

Pro tip: Do not be a sex addict!

And then there is Susan, Mildred’s adopted sister. She is a sassy businesswoman and looks like she has it all together. She is the kind of woman who can see your bull from a distance and cut it out before it reaches her. Except she could not see Marcus. Underneath that fabulous exterior, her boyfriend, Marcus, is a real-life villain straight out of a Hollywood movie. The dude reminds me of Carlos in Madea’s Family Reunion. He is all smiles and charm in public, then goes full monster behind closed doors, leaving Susan with emotional and physical bruises. It is like he has got a Jekyll and Hyde thing going on, and Susan is living the nightmare of domestic abuse. She is performing “Happy Couple” for the world while silently screaming on the inside. My heart aches for this woman! Should we go and get this woman, or will we leave her to decide for herself? 

Anyway, her struggle with domestic abuse adds raw depth to the narrative, showing why Thou Shalt Love stands out among spicy romance books. It’s more than steam; it’s survival, sisterhood, and self-discovery wrapped in irresistible storytelling.

Both sisters are basically living double lives, proving that secrets, like bad weaves, eventually unravel and cause a whole lot of drama. Thou Shalt Love does not just dip its toes into the water; it cannonballs right into the deep end of some seriously real and raw themes, making it one of those spicy romance books that keeps you turning pages with equal parts laughter, tears, and jaw-dropping moments.

Mildred’s journey with sex addiction is clear. She has been casually “sleeping around” before Jimmy, and even after he vanishes, she resorts to a “reliable, dark-skinned personal trainer, Isaac,” for her “fix.” Did I mention her dildo named “Lady D”! It is not just about being “horny” though. For her, it is about a deeper need, a craving for something fulfilling that she keeps searching for in physical acts.

The interesting thing here is, you almost want to high-five her for her raw honesty of wanting and liking sex, even as you cringe at the sheer audacity of her secret life! Who does not like sex? Put your hands up emoji in the comments and let us all see you and pray for you. 

Thou Shalt Love doesn’t shy away from sex. It dives headfirst into the unfiltered world of desire, shame, and redemption. It’s one of those spicy romance books that’s not just about heat, it’s about healing. The Thou Shalt Love is a shocking, sensitive, and real portrayal that busts open those polite societal rules.

Susan’s story with Marcus is a gut punch, I won’t lie. It is the kind of situation that makes you want to climb into the book and shake her senseless (with love, of course). A part of me wishes to send that punch back, but the kind woman in me only wants to hug her tightly and tell her that she deserves a love that does not cause her pain, or one in which she loses herself. 

The scene where he snaps about her being late and demands she take off her panties to “smell them” is so chilling and deranged. You will want to throw your book across the room! I did, and I am the one who wrote it. Imagine that! And the part where he drags her by her hair, leaving her “disheveled and crying on the floor,” is painfully graphic. It is a stark reminder that sometimes the scariest monsters wear the best suits and smell so darn good.

Susan’s constant internal battle to maintain her “confident, sexy, and strong businesswoman” persona while secretly suffering is heartbreaking. I often look at her and want to roll my eyes at the fake life she has been living, but I remember what Jesus would do. 

While you read Thou Shalt Love, you will root for Susan to kick Marcus to the curb every single exhausting page! I won’t lie about that. Susan will remind you of that friend who, after you have advised for an entire century, still does not leave. Or that friend could be you. Either way, she will break you in a good way. This compelling portrayal of domestic abuse is central to Susan’s journey and what makes Thou Shalt Love such a standout among spicy romance books. It’s about more than romance; it’s about reclaiming your power. Remember, I told you in the beginning that it leans into women’s fiction.

Healing from trauma is messy. Start where you are with this Printable self-care journal and printable personal growth planner. They are a lifesaver when you are rebuilding.

Now, here is where the real magic happens: the bond between Mildred and Susan. These two sisters are a trip! They bicker, they poke, they sass, but underneath it all, their sisterhood is thicker than honey.

When Susan finally drops the bomb about Marcus’s abuse, Mildred’s immediate outrage is intense. She is ready to unleash her corporate “one of the best lawyers in the country” fury on Marcus! And Grandma Louise wants to show him the power of “old money.” When Mildred’s addiction comes spilling out, Susan, despite her initial shock, eventually comes around because that is what sisters do. This powerful sisterhood is the anchor of Thou Shalt Love—a spicy romance book with soul, heart, and fire. Their family ties are stronger than morning piss, and their journey will make you laugh, cry, and clap between pages.

Their dynamic is so relatable: the shared memories, the knowing glances, the ability to annoy each other senselessly, yet be the first ones present when things get real. They are each other’s cheerleaders, therapists, and occasional punching bags (metaphorically, mostly!). The Carter girls are classy women—sometimes. Their journey proves that even when you are keeping major secrets, true sisterhood will eventually find a way to break through, even if it comes with a little bit of yelling and a lot of emotional baggage.

The true MVP of Thou Shalt Love is Grandma Louise. Seriously, this woman is a legend! She’s the matriarch, the oracle, the griot who just knows things. She might be constantly nagging Mildred and Susan about finding a husband, but her intentions are pure. She’s the unwavering anchor in their chaotic lives, making sure there’s always a warm meal, a dose of tough love, and a home where her girls can run back to, even when they’re acting like hot messes. She embodies true motherly love in this spicy romance book. 

Both sisters go through serious emotional wringers, but they paved their path to healing with forgiveness. Mildred had to come to terms with Calvin’s “betrayal” (he meant well, kinda), and both sisters had to forgive themselves for the secrets they kept and the pain they endured. Susan’s battle to forgive herself for “allowing” Marcus’s abuse is particularly raw and powerful. But it is in their shared vulnerability, their raw honesty with each other, and their ultimate acceptance of each other’s flaws that true healing begins. It’s messy, it’s loud, and sometimes it takes a while, but it’s real. This journey of forgiveness is one of the most powerful elements that makes Thou Shalt Love stand out among spicy romance books.

This story is like a masterclass in evolving love..

Thou Shalt Love, and the complete Thou Shalt Trilogy, aren’t just spicy romance books. They are an entire emotional experience. Not the fairy-tale kind, but the real, soul-baring, laugh-cry-scream-and-heal kind.

It Is Like Looking in a Mirror (But Funnier and Smuttier.)

You might need a fan in some of those scenes because I needed one while writing it! The relatable characters in Thou Shalt Love are so real, you will swear you know them. Their struggles, their flaws, and their hilarious sisterly squabbles are all so familiar it’s like peeking into your own life — but with better dialogue and spicier drama. You will laugh, you will probably yell at the book (and maybe at me), and you might even shed a tear or two of relief, mostly.

Watching Mildred transform from a guarded, secretly addicted lawyer into a woman who embraces love and raw honesty is pure joy. And Susan’s metamorphosis from a battered girlfriend to a fierce, independent woman who reclaims her power is applause-worthy. These women are messy, but they are real, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable.

Not to toot my own horn, but I perfectly blended the heavy stuff with laugh-out-loud moments. You will bite your nails during a dramatic confrontation and then chuckle at Grandma Louise’s no-nonsense wisdom. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, but in the best possible way. For a debut, you might even wonder why I wrote a book this hardcore — but that’s what makes Thou Shalt Love stand out among spicy romance books. It’s not just about desire; it’s about truth, sisterhood, and transformation.

Seriously, this book is built for discussion. You’ll want to dissect every character, every decision, and every shocking revelation with your friends. Get ready for lively debates, laughter, and plenty of “OMG, can you believe that?” moments.

So, if you are looking for spicy romance books that are real, raw, and full of heart (and a healthy dose of sass), then grab Thou Shalt Love right now! It’s a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws at you, with strong family ties and a little self-love, you can conquer anything. Trust me, these sisters are ready to take on the world, one dramatic step at a time!

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Have you ever experienced or known someone who has gone through domestic abuse or sex addiction? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section. Share your journey or experiences so that someone can learn from you.

Also, check out my shop. Every product there carries the same heart and healing spirit as this story. And by the way, did you know that Who Is Ma Kemah is a bestseller? Go see what the hype is about! Truthfully, I poured everything inside of me into  Who is Ma Kemah, and it shows page after unforgettable page.