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The Kennards #1
Two Tears in a Bucket
Eighteen year old Simone Woodard is kicked out of the house and forced to survive on her own. While struggling to create a life for herself, she captivates the attention of Kevin Kennard, a handsome felon with an addiction to all things illegal. For the first time in Kevin’s life, love has him rethinking his future. But the streets won't take a backseat to Simone.
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First published September 14, 2007
137 people are currently reading
1388 people want to read
About the author
Traci Bee
8 books65 followersTraci Bee’s debut novel TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET has earned her numerous awards, including AAMBC’S 2011 Breakout Author of the Year, and remains one of the hottest selling ebook dramas on Amazon. The proud owner of King George Publishing, LLC, a company named in honor of her daddy angel, George, Traci plans to release ANOTHER TEAR this summer and A NICKEL FOR A KISS in December.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 17, 2011
Really.....NOOOOOOOOO!
This is how I felt at the end of the book. I wanted to go to Traci Bee and start the interrogation. Why you do this to me? What happens next? Where is book two? How looooong are you going to leave me in suspense (in a high pitch whinny voice). While this one took me a little while to read it was not because of the book. Every time I had to put it down I was mumbling under my breath, "shoot, get on my nerves, why you hungry you just ate 4 hours ago (LOL)."
Seriously, "Two Tears in a Bucket" caught my attention from beginning to end, there was much drama, a lot of suspense, a few tearjerkers and so much confusion and backstabbing that I was reading the book and yelling at the characters like I do my friends. Why you putting up with that?, Are you serious?, NO, she didn't! and ARE YOU CRAZY?, where a few of the questions that immediately popped into my head. Then there was the occasional "WOW!" when no other words could fully cover the scope of the issue. Needless to say Kevin and Simone crawled up in my heart and I am plotting the demise of the author who left me hanging.
So, seriously, Traci Bee, when I get the next installment. Stop playing, you taking too long, type faster!!!!!!! Good job with this one. Keep up the good work! No, really where is part two, I'm serious now. Where is it?
The only issue I had with the book where the typos, I mean I know that proper English is not always spoken and I understand slang, but there were a few sentences I had to read over because the words just did not fit right together. This damages the flow of the book. Once again I say editors get it together and do better.
This is how I felt at the end of the book. I wanted to go to Traci Bee and start the interrogation. Why you do this to me? What happens next? Where is book two? How looooong are you going to leave me in suspense (in a high pitch whinny voice). While this one took me a little while to read it was not because of the book. Every time I had to put it down I was mumbling under my breath, "shoot, get on my nerves, why you hungry you just ate 4 hours ago (LOL)."
Seriously, "Two Tears in a Bucket" caught my attention from beginning to end, there was much drama, a lot of suspense, a few tearjerkers and so much confusion and backstabbing that I was reading the book and yelling at the characters like I do my friends. Why you putting up with that?, Are you serious?, NO, she didn't! and ARE YOU CRAZY?, where a few of the questions that immediately popped into my head. Then there was the occasional "WOW!" when no other words could fully cover the scope of the issue. Needless to say Kevin and Simone crawled up in my heart and I am plotting the demise of the author who left me hanging.
So, seriously, Traci Bee, when I get the next installment. Stop playing, you taking too long, type faster!!!!!!! Good job with this one. Keep up the good work! No, really where is part two, I'm serious now. Where is it?
The only issue I had with the book where the typos, I mean I know that proper English is not always spoken and I understand slang, but there were a few sentences I had to read over because the words just did not fit right together. This damages the flow of the book. Once again I say editors get it together and do better.
April 14, 2011
As an avid reader of ALL genres, I must say that Two Tears in a Bucket is a definite MUST READ! From beginning to end, I was immersed in the world of the characters to the point that I thought of them when I wasn't even reading, as if they were old friends! I felt what they were going through and got emotional during their highs and lows. I read the book every chance I got and finished it in 3 days! For Traci Bee to be able to give me an experience like that within the pages of her book is enough for me to be a lifetime fan! I can't wait for the sequel, which I hope will come very soon! Keep up the good work!
September 12, 2011
Bip! Bam! Whomp! Ka-Pow!
That is exactly how Two Tears in a Bucket read. Fast paced, high energy and all of it left me completely drained. I tried many times to put this book down, to take a break but I just couldn't pull away from the highly addictive drama going on in between the pages of Two Tears in a Bucket.
I am adding the release date of Another Tear to my calendar because I simply can't wait for more. I gave Traci Bee one full day of my life and in return she satisified my craving for a good book! Standing ovation.
That is exactly how Two Tears in a Bucket read. Fast paced, high energy and all of it left me completely drained. I tried many times to put this book down, to take a break but I just couldn't pull away from the highly addictive drama going on in between the pages of Two Tears in a Bucket.
I am adding the release date of Another Tear to my calendar because I simply can't wait for more. I gave Traci Bee one full day of my life and in return she satisified my craving for a good book! Standing ovation.
October 5, 2011
This was just an okay read for me. I knew what was going to happen from beginning to end. It read like a friend, telling you about an irritating friend of theirs, relationship. The end was annoying to say the least. I knew what was going to happen with that as well. It all seemed forced and predictable.
The proofing was great. Even with great stories I have read the editing/proofing has been embarrassing to say the least. That I didn't find in this book. In that regard it was smooth reading.
The proofing was great. Even with great stories I have read the editing/proofing has been embarrassing to say the least. That I didn't find in this book. In that regard it was smooth reading.
June 28, 2012
This was an awful book. The writing was terrible, and everyone talked in slang, which made them all sound uneducated. Beyond that there was no point to this story, it was just drama after drama. There was nothing redeeming about the characters that made me like them at all. It read as if the story was being told not as if I was there with the characters. The plot was one thing that might have been good but the writing was so poor it couldn't make up for it. I'd really like my 3 hours back.
April 14, 2011
Realities of life.
Simone has had enough of her stepfather’s abusive behavior, and her mother who cares more about her man then her daughter.
Simone leaves home and finds love with Kevin a career criminal.
Simone and Kevin move in together and their relationship is strong. But Kevin seems to attract trouble and it’s this that ends up keeping him away from Simone and the child they would conceive together. With Kevin living in the prison Simone is left to bring up her child alone, but not for long. Simone’s child is taken away from her, under the guise that Simone is an unfit parent, and this is where the story shifts into full gear!
Simone moves in with her father and with his love, support, and good advice she vows to straighten her life out and fight for custody of her child.
She meets Andre who seems to adore her! But what Simone does next is walk into a relationship with her eyes wide open, when all the signs are pointing to “exit now!”
Deceit is taken too close to home in this drama that spins through a number of years, revealing love that has never been forgotten and serious betrayals which make it hard to forgive.
I loved the different plot lines that bind the whole story together. One thing that stood out for me was the deep love Simone and Kevin had for each other, no matter who or what was put in their way, their love ran very deep.
But there were a few things that I felt the author could have elaborated on. Such as the step father Ricardo, what exactly was his problem with Simone? Yet he claimed to love little Jordan?
Also my maternal instinct kicked in with the Jordan storyline.
As a mother I seriously doubt I could have lived with and taken part in Jordan’s life without her knowing the truth…but then that’s me and everyone has a reason for the way they handle certain situations.
I was fortunate to have a long discussion with author Traci Bee about her entire novel. Traci was open to my questions and thoughts, as well as I understood her vision for her story.
This novel has many dimensions, which made this an excellent read for me! Author Traci Bee has taken the reader on an unforgettable ride full of emotions, where the reader will wonder what they would have done if they were faced this certain situations. There was a shocker at the end that has me watching for Traci’s follow up!!
Highly recommended!
Locksie
January 20th 2011
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5*****
Simone has had enough of her stepfather’s abusive behavior, and her mother who cares more about her man then her daughter.
Simone leaves home and finds love with Kevin a career criminal.
Simone and Kevin move in together and their relationship is strong. But Kevin seems to attract trouble and it’s this that ends up keeping him away from Simone and the child they would conceive together. With Kevin living in the prison Simone is left to bring up her child alone, but not for long. Simone’s child is taken away from her, under the guise that Simone is an unfit parent, and this is where the story shifts into full gear!
Simone moves in with her father and with his love, support, and good advice she vows to straighten her life out and fight for custody of her child.
She meets Andre who seems to adore her! But what Simone does next is walk into a relationship with her eyes wide open, when all the signs are pointing to “exit now!”
Deceit is taken too close to home in this drama that spins through a number of years, revealing love that has never been forgotten and serious betrayals which make it hard to forgive.
I loved the different plot lines that bind the whole story together. One thing that stood out for me was the deep love Simone and Kevin had for each other, no matter who or what was put in their way, their love ran very deep.
But there were a few things that I felt the author could have elaborated on. Such as the step father Ricardo, what exactly was his problem with Simone? Yet he claimed to love little Jordan?
Also my maternal instinct kicked in with the Jordan storyline.
As a mother I seriously doubt I could have lived with and taken part in Jordan’s life without her knowing the truth…but then that’s me and everyone has a reason for the way they handle certain situations.
I was fortunate to have a long discussion with author Traci Bee about her entire novel. Traci was open to my questions and thoughts, as well as I understood her vision for her story.
This novel has many dimensions, which made this an excellent read for me! Author Traci Bee has taken the reader on an unforgettable ride full of emotions, where the reader will wonder what they would have done if they were faced this certain situations. There was a shocker at the end that has me watching for Traci’s follow up!!
Highly recommended!
Locksie
January 20th 2011
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5*****
September 6, 2014
First time reader of Traci Bee, I found that I couldn't put this book down. The haunting reality of it is what kept me reading, and the mixed feelings I got while reading it took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. Simone has the biggest heart! Her father even bigger. I found myself drawn into her world, and Kevin's. My heart broke along with hers, and I wanted to seriously throttle her mother for the suffering Simone had to go through for her craziness. Oh man, never have I read a story with so much drama to have happened to the heroine. I was like, give her a break! The both of them! But I just had to read it, to get to the end. I loved the victory of her success and Kevin's as they both looked forward to their future. It was rewarding after what they'd both been put through.
There was only a few things I can point out that frustrated, or irked me.
1. The fact that the author skipped so fast from one story line to the other, and that I almost had to blink again to check if I was on the same page because she wouldn't give a break between paragraphs when she done so. Even the timelines changed so abruptly, I had to get pulled out of the story many times to see where I was up to.
2. Repetitive phrases and stuff like: "She sucked her teeth in" and something else I can't remember LOLOL
3. The whole filler with Andre and her relationship. I don't know, probably me being biased because I was hooting and hollering for Kevin, but I had no interest in that part whatsoever. I couldn't wait until I was done with that part.
4. THE ENDING!! It wasn't even a proper send off cliffhanger, it was a "sorry can't tell you the rest until you want to kill someone" ending.
Anyway, luckily I downloaded the next one on my kindle straight away, else I would consider that last statement. :):)
There was only a few things I can point out that frustrated, or irked me.
1. The fact that the author skipped so fast from one story line to the other, and that I almost had to blink again to check if I was on the same page because she wouldn't give a break between paragraphs when she done so. Even the timelines changed so abruptly, I had to get pulled out of the story many times to see where I was up to.
2. Repetitive phrases and stuff like: "She sucked her teeth in" and something else I can't remember LOLOL
3. The whole filler with Andre and her relationship. I don't know, probably me being biased because I was hooting and hollering for Kevin, but I had no interest in that part whatsoever. I couldn't wait until I was done with that part.
4. THE ENDING!! It wasn't even a proper send off cliffhanger, it was a "sorry can't tell you the rest until you want to kill someone" ending.
Anyway, luckily I downloaded the next one on my kindle straight away, else I would consider that last statement. :):)
August 3, 2010
Bee and King has penned an intriguing tale that commences with teenage love in the 80s. A web of gossip, lies, & manipulation leaves Kevin serving a 17- yr
prison term & Simone as a single mother. Bad goes to worst when S's
daughter is kidnapped by her own mother. Despite losing the love of
her life, Simone prevails driven by her motivation to succeed & the support
from her father Thomas.
As compelling as this story was, I believe it could have been written
better. There were times when it was unclear how many years went by. Simone seemed to passively accept that her mom, Angela, kidnapped her child; she
did nothing to get the child back. The author didn't allude to the
pain she felt as a mom or Thomas's pain as a grandfather. The situation seemed
unrealistic as clearly Angela had some mental issues. Ricardo’s behavior was glossed over as well. The voice the novel is written in seems naive to issues such as love. Perhaps the novel would have been even more potent if written in first person.
I look forward to the sequel and hope some loose ends will be tied.
Natasha R. Hines
AAMBC Reviewer
prison term & Simone as a single mother. Bad goes to worst when S's
daughter is kidnapped by her own mother. Despite losing the love of
her life, Simone prevails driven by her motivation to succeed & the support
from her father Thomas.
As compelling as this story was, I believe it could have been written
better. There were times when it was unclear how many years went by. Simone seemed to passively accept that her mom, Angela, kidnapped her child; she
did nothing to get the child back. The author didn't allude to the
pain she felt as a mom or Thomas's pain as a grandfather. The situation seemed
unrealistic as clearly Angela had some mental issues. Ricardo’s behavior was glossed over as well. The voice the novel is written in seems naive to issues such as love. Perhaps the novel would have been even more potent if written in first person.
I look forward to the sequel and hope some loose ends will be tied.
Natasha R. Hines
AAMBC Reviewer
May 21, 2011
A MUST READ!!!!!
this "urban hip hop novel" recounts the life of simone . . . who happens to fall in love with a drug-addict who "accidentally" kills someone. the story continues as she struggles to keep the baby that resulted from their brief union . . . her evil mother eventually succeeds in planting drugs in her house and "tricks" the authorities in naming her an "unfit" mother. so what does she do? she gets a federal government job until she finds her calling in real estate. now, with the big bucks, she meets a "high yellow" cop with whom she begins to see. he beats her. does she like it? at the same time this happens, we see her baby daddy in prison who receives visits from the town skank who is secretly colluding with the protagonist's mother. at one point in prison, the baby daddy has sex with a prison guard. he gets in fights, and learns the ropes of prison life soon enough, though. when simone starts to visit him in prison, she's successful, and has "won" back her baby because she's driving a fat car that she bought with the flow she got from selling houses. she ditches the cop and waits for her baby daddy. the rest is history. or is it?
this "urban hip hop novel" recounts the life of simone . . . who happens to fall in love with a drug-addict who "accidentally" kills someone. the story continues as she struggles to keep the baby that resulted from their brief union . . . her evil mother eventually succeeds in planting drugs in her house and "tricks" the authorities in naming her an "unfit" mother. so what does she do? she gets a federal government job until she finds her calling in real estate. now, with the big bucks, she meets a "high yellow" cop with whom she begins to see. he beats her. does she like it? at the same time this happens, we see her baby daddy in prison who receives visits from the town skank who is secretly colluding with the protagonist's mother. at one point in prison, the baby daddy has sex with a prison guard. he gets in fights, and learns the ropes of prison life soon enough, though. when simone starts to visit him in prison, she's successful, and has "won" back her baby because she's driving a fat car that she bought with the flow she got from selling houses. she ditches the cop and waits for her baby daddy. the rest is history. or is it?
November 8, 2011
Talk about an intriguing story...2 tears had me and never let me go. Simone, Andre, Kevin, Rhonda, and all the other characters were right were they needed to be. I'm not sure if i'd categorize this book as a hip hop novel as she did (not sure what that is:) but it is definitely a great read.
Simone's mother is a mess and i related to Simone's relationship with her on a personal level, when she allowed her mother to babysit her daughter, i was screaming NOOOOO, i saw what was coming b4 it came. so when Andre suggested they do it again with his daughter i was like what the hell are you stupid or something? When the final chapter gets going I could tell what was coming, but it still tore at my heart strings. Not as bad as when Kevin poured his heart out to Simone, boy was i a babbling baby at that...
My only complaint was i wish Angela would of had some kind of pay back for what she did. she got off way too easy and it took way too long for the truth to come out...
Awesome read can't wait to get another Tear, in fact im going to grab it now!
Simone's mother is a mess and i related to Simone's relationship with her on a personal level, when she allowed her mother to babysit her daughter, i was screaming NOOOOO, i saw what was coming b4 it came. so when Andre suggested they do it again with his daughter i was like what the hell are you stupid or something? When the final chapter gets going I could tell what was coming, but it still tore at my heart strings. Not as bad as when Kevin poured his heart out to Simone, boy was i a babbling baby at that...
My only complaint was i wish Angela would of had some kind of pay back for what she did. she got off way too easy and it took way too long for the truth to come out...
Awesome read can't wait to get another Tear, in fact im going to grab it now!
December 28, 2015
3.75 rating ----( wait can I really do that? oh well I'm doing it)
See the thing is this... this book was pretty interesting...I was in fact entertained. However there was just something that didn't click for me. I guess it was all the back to back drama which at times gave me a bit of a headache if I can be honest. It was so much stuff happening that at times all I could honestly do is smh and say wtf.
The ending was expected... actually from about the 40% mark I knew that everything would come back around full circle.
Now I know that there is a second book and I am going to check it out... from the reviews the first half is like a recap and if so... skimming will be done.
Signing off... " Never thought too much drama would be an issue.. but it is"
See the thing is this... this book was pretty interesting...I was in fact entertained. However there was just something that didn't click for me. I guess it was all the back to back drama which at times gave me a bit of a headache if I can be honest. It was so much stuff happening that at times all I could honestly do is smh and say wtf.
The ending was expected... actually from about the 40% mark I knew that everything would come back around full circle.
Now I know that there is a second book and I am going to check it out... from the reviews the first half is like a recap and if so... skimming will be done.
Signing off... " Never thought too much drama would be an issue.. but it is"
April 14, 2011
When this title said Two tears in a bucket it def wasn't wrong.This book had me laughing and crying.I really enjoyed this book even though a few of the parts mad me mad but at the same time its really people that go through these things in everyday life.I really related to every person in this story, I'm going to ask Traci bee have she been in my life before lol.But if you want a book that will have in touch with all your emotions this is the one you need to go get right away!!
January 17, 2012
I am so mad that I wasted my precious time on this book, it dragged on completely to much for me I thought this book was going to be 5 stars, no such luck. I know there were alot of 5star reviews on this book but I have no idea why. I found myself skipping pages and chapters to hopefully get it popping NO SUCH LUCK!
July 24, 2012
This was my first book my Traci Bee, and it was excellente! I was like if a person has all these reviews, then I know it is something I need to read. WOW!!! I felt so bad for Simone, she went through a lot of things in her childhood that no one should have....When it rains it pours in her life...This book was profound, and written beautifully!!
February 28, 2011
Goodread
March 16, 2011
This was such a page turner. I couldn't put it down, finished it in one day. I can't wait for the sequel.
December 29, 2011
Well, this book was just a horrendous pile of crap.
July 14, 2012
I personally loved the book and the second part i recommend everyone read it and when does felicia and ricardo get what they got combine to their trifeling buts
May 23, 2017
Great Read
I really enjoyed this book, Simone went through a lot and the bulk of it came from her mother. I don't want to give away too much, but I don't think I could ever forgive my mother if she did anything like that. Simone was a strong woman who fought for what she wanted and ended up getting it in the end.........can't wait to read part 2
I really enjoyed this book, Simone went through a lot and the bulk of it came from her mother. I don't want to give away too much, but I don't think I could ever forgive my mother if she did anything like that. Simone was a strong woman who fought for what she wanted and ended up getting it in the end.........can't wait to read part 2
March 17, 2022
Hip Hop telling
Characters appear realistic and at the same not experiences I like reading about. The drug scene in urban areas is difficult for me. However, I believe the characters and lifestyles are true. A good read.
Characters appear realistic and at the same not experiences I like reading about. The drug scene in urban areas is difficult for me. However, I believe the characters and lifestyles are true. A good read.
March 29, 2018
I love all of Traci Bee Books, defiantly a Good READ a true Page Turner!!
September 17, 2025
This was, at times, a confusing read. I couldn't figure out why the MC essentially gave up and allowed her daughter to be raised by her mother and stepfather, especially give that her stepfather had been abusive to her. Like, I understand being discouraged in the very beginning when she didn't have resources, but later she went so far as to buy a house without ever doing anything to regain custody of her daughter.
August 3, 2012
I didn't really like this book. For one thing, it felt like it dragged on forever even though I read it over two days. I think what got me the most was how the whole story didn't seem believable. Simone left her mother's house because her mother and stepfather were both crazy. Then when she gets pregnant, she lets her baby go to her crazy mom and stepdads house. Red flag! They are CRAZY. It should have been no surprise to her that her mother stole the baby. Instead of trying to fight to get her baby back because what her mother did was obviously illegal, Simone decides to make her life better and then try to get the baby back. 10-15 years later, SImone is ready. WHAT?! That crazy woman would not have had my baby for multiple YEARS. It is also not believable to me that Simone and her friends are not only doing well in life, but are actually wealthy after basically growing up in the hood. I'm not saying it can't happen, but life is typically not that easy, and they seemed to have just fallen into their career fields (though Melanie did go to school and Simone did pass the realtor test, I will give them some credit there).
Throughout the middle of the book, I was infuriated with the events, and I feel like it would have been a much better book if the author had focused on a shorter period of years. Simone could have fought for custody of her child. Instead of writing it to where Kevin killed Mr. Johnson, James could have killed Mr. Johnson but pinned it on Kevin. Kevin finds this out and fights for his freedom. Nope. Instead, Simone gives up like a little wimp and Kevin was actually the one that killed Mr. Johnson.
I had a hard time with how much the book skipped around. I read it on the Kindle, which probably didn't help because it can be easy to skip over chapter headings, but I would find myself in the chapter confused about how old everyone was. There didn't seem to be a good transition when the year changed. I felt like it went from Jordan being a baby to talking about how her grandmother was a liar.
I also didn't like how ALL of the characters seemed to have a hard time understanding how to speak proper English. It made sense at first because of where the story was set, but when Simone got older and started to associate with people outside of her childhood neighborhood, I expected them to speak differently. This made the characters seem underdeveloped and made the author seem lazy.
Now I feel like I'm ranting. I also did not appreciate or find it believable that the female prison guards were so eager to be whores.
I can't believe so many people gave this book good reviews.
Throughout the middle of the book, I was infuriated with the events, and I feel like it would have been a much better book if the author had focused on a shorter period of years. Simone could have fought for custody of her child. Instead of writing it to where Kevin killed Mr. Johnson, James could have killed Mr. Johnson but pinned it on Kevin. Kevin finds this out and fights for his freedom. Nope. Instead, Simone gives up like a little wimp and Kevin was actually the one that killed Mr. Johnson.
I had a hard time with how much the book skipped around. I read it on the Kindle, which probably didn't help because it can be easy to skip over chapter headings, but I would find myself in the chapter confused about how old everyone was. There didn't seem to be a good transition when the year changed. I felt like it went from Jordan being a baby to talking about how her grandmother was a liar.
I also didn't like how ALL of the characters seemed to have a hard time understanding how to speak proper English. It made sense at first because of where the story was set, but when Simone got older and started to associate with people outside of her childhood neighborhood, I expected them to speak differently. This made the characters seem underdeveloped and made the author seem lazy.
Now I feel like I'm ranting. I also did not appreciate or find it believable that the female prison guards were so eager to be whores.
I can't believe so many people gave this book good reviews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2011
So Many Tears...
TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET by Traci Bee & Darnell King tells the story of a young love that stands the test of time. As soon as she is old enough Simone moves out on her own, getting away from the step-father she cannot stand. This is when she meets Kevin, a young man that is lurred by the streets and fast money. Simone is unlike any female Kevin has ever met and he is determined to do right by her. Just when Kevin is about to leave the streets alone, he is forced to stay in the game a little longer. A series of events lands Kevin behind prison walls serving 17 years. The person that feels responsible for his incarceration feels a need to ride out Kevin's bid and is determined to be with Kevin...although he has made it clear that it will never be.
Simone is left to raise a baby on her own. With the help and love of her father, Thomas, Simone seems to be on the right track. Unfortunately, being in the wrong company and doing something for a friend, her child is taken from her. Without her child, Simone sinks into a deep depression and only at the encouragement of her father does she slowly begin to get her life back together. Eventually she gets married; more so for the idea of being married than being in love, making for a disastrous marriage.
TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET by Traci Bee and Darnell King is a page-turner. It is a coming-of-age story that has all the ingredients of a great story: love, lust, lies and betrayal. It is a story that will tug at your heart strings. A story that will leave your mouth hanging agape. The main issue that I had with this novel was that the authors made it unclear to the reader on the time frame between each moment that mattered. Although this does not take anything away from the story itself. I throughly enjoyed their debut novel. The authors definitely have a flair for writing. I eagerly await the sequel! A recommended read!
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Reviewed by Leona
APOOO BookClub
TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET by Traci Bee & Darnell King tells the story of a young love that stands the test of time. As soon as she is old enough Simone moves out on her own, getting away from the step-father she cannot stand. This is when she meets Kevin, a young man that is lurred by the streets and fast money. Simone is unlike any female Kevin has ever met and he is determined to do right by her. Just when Kevin is about to leave the streets alone, he is forced to stay in the game a little longer. A series of events lands Kevin behind prison walls serving 17 years. The person that feels responsible for his incarceration feels a need to ride out Kevin's bid and is determined to be with Kevin...although he has made it clear that it will never be.
Simone is left to raise a baby on her own. With the help and love of her father, Thomas, Simone seems to be on the right track. Unfortunately, being in the wrong company and doing something for a friend, her child is taken from her. Without her child, Simone sinks into a deep depression and only at the encouragement of her father does she slowly begin to get her life back together. Eventually she gets married; more so for the idea of being married than being in love, making for a disastrous marriage.
TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET by Traci Bee and Darnell King is a page-turner. It is a coming-of-age story that has all the ingredients of a great story: love, lust, lies and betrayal. It is a story that will tug at your heart strings. A story that will leave your mouth hanging agape. The main issue that I had with this novel was that the authors made it unclear to the reader on the time frame between each moment that mattered. Although this does not take anything away from the story itself. I throughly enjoyed their debut novel. The authors definitely have a flair for writing. I eagerly await the sequel! A recommended read!
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Reviewed by Leona
APOOO BookClub
June 22, 2011
Two Tears was an awesome read. While reading the first chapters I thought I would chalk it up to a teen novel, but after pressing forward on my kindle I became immersed with the characters and the 80’s love story. I love how Traci Bee introduces Simone and Kevin’s family and friends and made them relevant throughout the read. Simone’s journey was a struggle but with her beloved father support and her determination to succeed she always bounced back. Simone fell on some bad times but who doesn’t. Some of the choices she made were kind of immature but not having a relationship with her mother brought on most of the bad behavior Simone was displaying. Kevin was a keeper but growing up without a father played a role in most of the choices he made. Kevin mother (Beatrice) did the best she could as a single mother to steer him in a positive direction but Kevin choose to deal with life situations on his own terms.
Simone and Kevin were ripped of the chance of being in their daughter (Jordan) life in her infancy and toddler years because of Kevin’s weakness for the streets and Simone (Crazy as mother Angela). Fast Forward 15 years later and their lives go through all kind of speed bumps just like real life. The changes and the growth Simone and Kevin went through were all relatable. After all the turmoil they went through their LOVE was proven and tested and won in the end or so I thought. Traci did a great job wrapping the story up nicely but the epilogue through me for a loop, it wasn’t necessary everything was explained in the story. I’m all for Simone and Kevin’s happiness I hope Another Tear holds my interest.
Simone and Kevin were ripped of the chance of being in their daughter (Jordan) life in her infancy and toddler years because of Kevin’s weakness for the streets and Simone (Crazy as mother Angela). Fast Forward 15 years later and their lives go through all kind of speed bumps just like real life. The changes and the growth Simone and Kevin went through were all relatable. After all the turmoil they went through their LOVE was proven and tested and won in the end or so I thought. Traci did a great job wrapping the story up nicely but the epilogue through me for a loop, it wasn’t necessary everything was explained in the story. I’m all for Simone and Kevin’s happiness I hope Another Tear holds my interest.
April 1, 2011
So many things I hate about this cheaply put together "story".
and
You know, I can't blame anyone but myself for the torture I felt reading this garbage. Before I even downloaded this mess on my kindle, my intuition was begging me not to-I just didn't listen.
Then, halfway through the novel, in year 1996, two of the characters were supposedly watching "Love & Basketball"...uh, okay, L&B wasn't even released until April of 2000. I mean, Ms. Traci Bee couldn't Google the year that movie was released? Just that simple.
But still I kept reading. Like an abusive relationship, I just couldn't walk away. Even though I felt the book didn't deserve my time.
Today, I had to fly to New York. When we boarded the plan and took our seats, my husband asked, "so, what are we reading today?" I told him that I am going to read the book I've been reading, "Two Tears in a Bucket". He said; "why, I can tell you're not enjoying it. It's going to mess up a perfect trip up in the air". But, I kept reading. Why I didn't listen to him-I do not know.
And let me just say, I feel the only thing worse than a bad book, is a horrific ending. And this book definitely fit into the horrific-ending- category.
Usually, when we are about to land, and I am busy reading, I get annoyed because I have to bookmark and lose precious time that could be spent reading. But not today! I couldn't wait to get off the plane and continue on with my day. My only regret is, I purchased this on Kindle, so, I couldn't just chunk it in the first available trash bin.
and
You know, I can't blame anyone but myself for the torture I felt reading this garbage. Before I even downloaded this mess on my kindle, my intuition was begging me not to-I just didn't listen.
Then, halfway through the novel, in year 1996, two of the characters were supposedly watching "Love & Basketball"...uh, okay, L&B wasn't even released until April of 2000. I mean, Ms. Traci Bee couldn't Google the year that movie was released? Just that simple.
But still I kept reading. Like an abusive relationship, I just couldn't walk away. Even though I felt the book didn't deserve my time.
Today, I had to fly to New York. When we boarded the plan and took our seats, my husband asked, "so, what are we reading today?" I told him that I am going to read the book I've been reading, "Two Tears in a Bucket". He said; "why, I can tell you're not enjoying it. It's going to mess up a perfect trip up in the air". But, I kept reading. Why I didn't listen to him-I do not know.
And let me just say, I feel the only thing worse than a bad book, is a horrific ending. And this book definitely fit into the horrific-ending- category.
Usually, when we are about to land, and I am busy reading, I get annoyed because I have to bookmark and lose precious time that could be spent reading. But not today! I couldn't wait to get off the plane and continue on with my day. My only regret is, I purchased this on Kindle, so, I couldn't just chunk it in the first available trash bin.
September 6, 2011
Okay, so I have to admit that it took me entirely too long to finish reviewing this novel by Ms. Bee. Admittedly I had a number of obligations that sidetracked me for months, but Hurricane Irene forced me to sit down and finish my journey. Let me just say, I was not one bit disappointed by the ending. Fantastic, well-written, and a can't-put-this-down page turner, Ms. Bee knocks this story out of the park!
I think there's a saying that says if something is really meant for you, set it free, and if it comes back to you, it's yours. That is definitely an underlying theme of Two Tears In a Bucket, which details the kind of on-again, off-again relationship between Kevin and Simone. After life and misunderstandings tear them apart, can a twist of circumstance bring them back together after years of separation?
I've always kind of assumed, based on other reviews, that this was an Urban Lit novel, but after reading it in its entirety, I'm not sure I would classify it as such. To me, it's more of a contemporary drama with urban elements and without question a few cuts above its competitors. As a matter of fact, if this is an Urban Lit novel then Traci has set a HIGH bar for similar authors to reach in terms of story structure, editing, and professionalism--I hope they take notice! Traci Bee is an author to watch and I look forward to reading the sequel to this page-turner! The cliffhanger on this book is a DOOZIE!!
All in all--an undeniably worthy read!!
I think there's a saying that says if something is really meant for you, set it free, and if it comes back to you, it's yours. That is definitely an underlying theme of Two Tears In a Bucket, which details the kind of on-again, off-again relationship between Kevin and Simone. After life and misunderstandings tear them apart, can a twist of circumstance bring them back together after years of separation?
I've always kind of assumed, based on other reviews, that this was an Urban Lit novel, but after reading it in its entirety, I'm not sure I would classify it as such. To me, it's more of a contemporary drama with urban elements and without question a few cuts above its competitors. As a matter of fact, if this is an Urban Lit novel then Traci has set a HIGH bar for similar authors to reach in terms of story structure, editing, and professionalism--I hope they take notice! Traci Bee is an author to watch and I look forward to reading the sequel to this page-turner! The cliffhanger on this book is a DOOZIE!!
All in all--an undeniably worthy read!!
May 1, 2012
TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET by Traci Bee invites us into the world of Simone and Kevin. The couple is plagued with adversity from the start. First, Simone is kicked out of the house after standing up to her stepfather with no help on the matter coming from her mother. Then Kevin catch a case when he shoots and kill a man and goes to jail for a few years. Fast forward a few years later, Simone and Kevin finally meet only to be torn apart again by a misunderstanding. During the time apart, Kevin is called to help a friend who is being threatened by a thug whose been robbed by her boyfriend and all goes down hill from there. Meanwhile, Simone is non-the-wiser until a friend of her brother's let her know what happened to her man.
After Simone gives birth to a beautiful daughter, she's betrayed once again by her mother who does the unthinkable.
Will true love stand the test of time even after Simone marries another man? That question and many more will be answered in TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET. Traci Bee did a wonderful job of weaving this complicated story together and keeping the reader guessing. I eagerly await the sequel! A recommended read indeed!
After Simone gives birth to a beautiful daughter, she's betrayed once again by her mother who does the unthinkable.
Will true love stand the test of time even after Simone marries another man? That question and many more will be answered in TWO TEARS IN A BUCKET. Traci Bee did a wonderful job of weaving this complicated story together and keeping the reader guessing. I eagerly await the sequel! A recommended read indeed!
January 16, 2012
This was a great story. I loved the characters and how Traci introduced them. Although it was 734 pages it went fast because she held my interest the entire time once she pull you end you don't want to let go. Loved Simone's character she was a very courageous women with all of her struggles and I do mean all from an abusive stepfather, a deceitful mother(OMG!!), you are really going to be angry when you read what she does to her own child. Simone strengths came from her father, he loved her and was very supportive and encouraged her to fight back and turn her life around for the good. Kevin, thug, thug! Why do good girl's want to be with thugs. Even though Kevin was a thug with many mistakes I did really enjoy the relationship between Simone and Kevin (that's before Rhonda came along). Kevin just made some stupid mistakes and continued to make them one fatal mistake that landed him in jail and losing out on the real love of his life and being there for his daughter. Just when you think that very thing is going good something happens. Traci great job.
January 17, 2013
When Simone and Kevin's lives start to pour out on the pages of this book, there is no turning back. Readers are instantly pulled in as Simone has to learn how to make it in the world, 18 years old and fresh out of school. Her first love, Kevin, is there to help...until the streets grab 'hold of him. Fast money and fancy goods keep him away for a little too long, and Simone is forced to build a life without him. When she finds that she's pregnant, the story REALLY picks up. Parents are forced to jump in and help out, but is their help the kind of help that the young people need? Is Kevin going to pull himself together and be the man Simone and the baby need him to be? Will Simone be able to make it in the world, or will she be forced to go back home to her parents? Tracy Bee has pulled readers in here...and even with the dangling ending, this book is a CERTIFIED five star read!! **ON TO PART II**
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