Welfare Grind part 1

by Kendall Banks

Cold-hearted Keema takes the world by storm as she navigates her way through every trick and scam she can pull off. With four kids in tow, living off the welfare system had become her life along with the extra cash, sex and violence, her gangsta boyfriend Dupree brought into her life. Soon, chaos erupts, causing Keema's secret past to become a problem. When the chips fall, they fall hard, leaving Keema willing to do whatever it takes to keep money in her pocket. She's willing to go that extra mile, even if it means selling her kids, or setting up her man.

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2012

Reviews

[Brittney G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is....I WISH I READ IT SOONER! Welfare Grind was a great read. Kendall Banks I am a fan, this is my first book by Kendall and it definitely won't be the last. This book was well written, well edited, and the business.

Keema is a girl that is only out for herself. She doesn't care about her three children, let alone anyone around her, circle or not. Keema is a liar, sneaky and grimy. She sets up guys left and right, and hit their pockets for everything! Everyone she comes in contact with she leaves them with a bad taste in their mouth. So bad, that someone has an bounty on her head. Money being her only motive, she doesn't think twice about stopping her welfare grind, an investment in a spa, and sticking up unsuspecting men!

When death hits close to home! She takes her daughter and make a move to Arizona, where she gets the surprise of her life...can Keema get it right, or will she fail there too??...

Can't wait for part 2

[Joey Pinkney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keema Newell is a Land Shark. There is no other way to put it. She is to society what sharks are to Shark Week. She was born to "eat food", slang for getting money. Keema even named each one of her children after money: Treasure, Cash and Dinero. And she looks at them as her "investments". What's worse, she's keeping her boyfriend Dupree's autistic son, Shane. Dupree is a drug dealer that stashes drugs, money and guns in Keema's apartment. Legality and morals are not a part of her DNA.

Kendall Banks writes in a tight, concise style that leaves no room for downtime. Something scandalous is happening on every page, in every paragraph and in every sentence. Normally, hood stories are stereotypical and trite. "Welfare Grind" has every element and effect that is par for the course in Urban Fiction, but the difference is quality execution. There were a few editing issues here and there, but those gaffes didn't destroy the momentum. Banks has an impeccable eye for detail and did a great job of weaving together different scenarios in a way that only a master storyteller can.

If you're looking for happy endings and altruistic values, go find another book to read. If you want to be entertained by a story full of drugs, sex and violence written in a way challenges you to figure out just how deceitful a person can get in her journey to leave the hood life for the good life, give "Welfare Grind" by Kendall Banks a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Read the whole JoeyPinkney.com Book Review here http://h1t.it/16zFFpg

[Tonikia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this Author, but it will not be my last time for sure. This book right here gives you all the details on how some women really are with milking the system. This chick Keema is so damn trifling that she would sell her own kids out just to receive some benefits from the state. Not only did this chick milk the system, she was also one of those chicks who did whatever she needed to do to get money....this chick robbed, stole, and killed people for the almighty dollar. But what really had me into this book was the fact that KARMA is a bitch and everything that Keema did to someone else it came back to her in full blast. She lost loves ones behind her scandalous ways. If you want a book that well have you wanting to know what will happen next and keep your eyes glued to the book until you are finish then this is a book for you!!!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and was immediately sucked in to the story at hand. I hated Keema so much. She was down right trifling. I have never seen someone go through the extremities she did just to have money. She killed and stole to get what she wanted, and to make matters worse she was selfish, especially to her kids. In my opinion she never really loved them, she only pretended to and tolerated them because they gave her what she wanted....which was her food stamps. I mean she easily dropped them off anywhere without a second thought. Everything that Keema went through was karma hitting her back for all the pain and damage she caused to all her loved ones for being selfish,greedy, and stupid. I can't wait to the second part of this book.I want to know what happens with her and treasure. I am glad I gave this book a chance.

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welfare Grind had me on the edge of my seat since page 1. I couldn't believe how trifling, greedy, cold hearted and bitchy Keema was. It really affected me when the author described the way she treated her children. It affected me not only because I'm a mother, but also because I'm a mother of an autistic son. The drama and action was non stop and I finished the book in less than 6 hours. Although some parts were unrealistic I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to get into part 2 because Treasure is gonna be a mess.

[Karma Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quote from Keema "Love couldn't play a part in my plans. Theres no room for it. My kids are a means to an end. They are my tickets to Welfare Benefits"

4.5 only because a couple of the scenes I predicted. Keema definitely kept the drama rolling. I can't wait for part 2. She has hell on her hands with Treasure.

Anyone else who has read this what did you think of the ending? Do you think she went through with it?

[*~CONN!3~]

Keema was one selfish person...every step she took was lies and death followed. 4 stars, what a juiCy ending.

[Daven J. Oglesby Sr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Never judge a book by it’s cover.” -everybody

“The love of money is the root of all evil” -The Bible

Welfare Grind by Kendall Banks (@authorkendallb)

When my wife’s homegirl told me about this book she said it was filled with drama…however because I value The Black Experience in written form, no matter the content, I read it. Because we as Black folk can be pretty elitist at times even in the literary space…..

My Reflection:

Not every black woman’s story is perfect. Not every black woman’s story is easy and successful. While reading this book beyond the sex, and violence and drug induced mistakes. What I found was a Black woman, mother, daughter and friend trying to find a way out of an environment set up to fail Black women. The welfare system in general wasn’t meant to be a means for survival, however Keema’s life for her and her children depended on it. I saw a misguided, naive and selfish woman whose 10 year old daughter was ultimately raising herself and her siblings, yet still more mature in some ways than her own mother. However the reality is, that’s a part of the Black experience we shun, push aside, prejudge and condemn, if we are being honest.

The story at times was very predictable, yet still entertaining and suspenseful. I enjoyed diving into a world beyond my own and walking in the shoes of a woman trying to make the best decisions she could for her children, despite the odds and three murders on her hands….

Might have to pick up Parts 2 and 3.

[Sandra Lynn Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. Keena is as trifling and low down as they come. She is selfish and greedy even with ask the deaths she caused she still haven't learned her lesson even after being shot. Hope Book 2 is as good as this one.

[Rene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read that moved very fast , but overall a decent book

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for something raw, grimy, and a page turner read this!!!!

[Kira Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the level of ratchet goodness that I needed

[Yolanda Knight- Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a mother be so trifling toward her children? Making money is her only concern. Really!!!

[Eileen623 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mother of six it is very difficult for me to review this title. The protagonist is one of the most unlikable unscrupulous selfish women I’ve ever encountered between the pages of a book. She’s all about getting money by any means necessary. If she has to exploit her children sell her children commit welfare and EBT fraud it’s all good to her as long as she gets her bottom line. And if a couple of her children get hurt or killed in the process well stuff happens. If you are turned off by violence Foul language child abuse child neglect and just an immoral single mother with no conscious this book is not for you. I found myself rooting for her downfall. At every time. And when karma came to collect after several people close to her and some innocent victims were murdered viciously in cold blood I thought she gained a little remorse and some compassion. But it was not to be. She never stop plotting and trying to sex connive and scheme her way to the top. This book left me feeling so angry I couldn’t even appreciate whether or not there was good character development writing style or a plot.. and short she was a hood chick with a one track mind with a heart of a sociopath.

[Robbin Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to the urban fiction market, but OMG, this book was soooooooooooooo good. It kept me on my times, wanting for more with every turn on the page. Surprisingly, it's intelligently written and has a plausible story line. I didn't even find any editing errors! Sadly, this book was so good, I finished it in a day. I was enthralled with the life of Keema and the incredibly tangled web she weaved with the system, all the men in her life and her children. I was just thankful I was on the outside looking in cuz homegirl had way too much going on her ish was hot! There are two others, but I might have to buy them as my library doesn't have them. I strongly recommend this one and look forward to reading more by the author.

[Diana Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, here is the problem with this book: It's too predictable. I think authors of this genre are trying to go for shock value because they realize they can only write about ghetto life in so many ways. What disappointed me the most about this book is the shock value placed on the children of this story. I can't find entertainment in children dying, selling/bagging drugs, or killing. If that makes me lame well, so be it. Maybe it's just time for me to let this genre go, I don't know but this book just didn't do it for me at all.

[Erica L · Rating 1 out of 5]

My very first Kendall Banks read was "One Night Stand" Woo Hoo! That book was a study in creative imaginative mystery, excellence and "grinding". Great Book! I was then so excited to read "Another One Night Stand." Got that one and felt completely GANKED! I felt like i was reading a bad "Lifetime Movie Script" where all the Men are idiots and the women get away with way too much. This book seemed thrown together just for some "paper". Hated it. That was my last Kendall Banks read and my last "Urban Fiction" book that comes in parts 1,2,3, 4, 5, 6 and so on. UGH!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my third book by this author and like with her other books i enjoyed this one. Keema worked my nerves and i couldnt take the way she was treating her kids. it was very sad, but im sure there are people really out there on the welfare grind. the only part i didnt like is the end because i have to wait for the sequel

[Ty-quasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting but i would only recommend it to people who are mature because it has a lot of inappropriate things in it but I did like this book it has to do with crime and stuff like that the main character would rather get money from men than take care of her own kids and she tries to sell them.

[K Nikki Waden · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW..This book is Fiyah..so much drama from the beginning to the end..This book had me hating the main character but,loving all the drama.It was well written a great storyline and a certified banger..Cant wait for part 2.Another great job Kendall Banks

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good Keema is a real deal no good ratchett chick, she was beyond selfish and burned a lot of bridges along the way. She proved that karma is a you know what I can't wait to read the next one.

[Natasha potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

the only bad thing I have to say about this book is I wished I read it a whole lot sooner the main character keema is very selfish and only think of herself there was never a dull moment reading this book I give this book 5 stars

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good this mother was too much she didn't care about anyone but herself and she didn't care what happened to anyone except who she could scam to get to the next check, this was a truly sad book to me. I can't wait to see what happens next because the ending left me wanting more!

[Linda Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keema was outrageous.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book
Great story line
Will definitely keep your interest

[Lisa G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I love this book. Feema was so trifling and scandalous. I hope there is a prt 2.

[Burgundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. It was unrealistic at times because I dont knowcanyone as scandalous as this chick. But i cant wait for part two

[Brijeet · Rating 3 out of 5]

trashy and scandalous but entertaining fast read

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

PROS: Interesting plot. Quick read.

CONS: Various typos, which get annoying with each one discovered.

[Wilki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triflingggg ...lol this chick was something else, but overall made for a great suspenseful read.