Tempted by Trouble

by Eric Jerome Dickey

New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey returns with a flaming-hot stand-alone set in the world of conmen and thieves.

We can plan all we want, but sometimes fate has a different agenda...

Dmytryk was a respectable man... once. College educated, happily married, a stable job at a car factory in Detroit. He's the king of the world with nowhere to go but up. But when a crippling recession annihilates the auto industry, Dmytryk and his wife Cora suddenly find themselves without jobs. And after two years of trying to live honestly, they begin to realize that honesty just doesn't pay the bills.

Afraid of losing her home and her marriage, Cora compromises her faith and makes some choices that she isn't proud of. And when a powerful and ruthless crime boss named Eddie Coyle gives them an opportunity to buy back their old lives, Cora urges Dmytryk to man up. All he has to do is join Eddie's crime ring and rob some two minutes, in and out, nobody gets hurt. Torn between desperation and his moral integrity, Dmytryk gives in, but no sooner does he enter a life of crime than Cora abandons him, taking with her his dreams for a better life and disappearing without a trace.

Now, more determined than ever to get his life back on track, Dmytryk is only one bank job away from having enough money to leave Eddie Coyle and find Cora. But when the job goes dangerously wrong, he realizes yet again that destiny has another plan for him. Forced into seclusion with one of his partners -- a dangerous and damaged woman with a plan of her own - Dmytryk wonders if he'll ever find his way back to his old life. And in the end, will he even want to?

Genres: African American, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Urban, Relationships, Erotica

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Eric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis (the former Memphis State), where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.

After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.

With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.

Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.

Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte

Reviews

[Danita Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was kind of different . It kept jumping back and forth between reality and dream . Which took a minute 2 figure it out. Still a pretty good rea.

[Read In Colour · Rating 3 out of 5]

For an author that started out writing from the woman's point of view, Eric Jerome Dickey has certainly evolved. If you've followed his writing career, you'll remember the days when his stories were considered the male answer to Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale. They were funny, they were romantic, they were light. I can remember commenting to a fellow reader years ago that he wrote with a woman's voice so well that if I didn't know he was a man, I would have assumed he was a woman.

I've noticed in recent years that he has shied away from romantic lit as a whole and has begun to hide it within darker, sexier novels. Though he started bringing the sexy in 2003's The Other Woman, the first time I noticed him bringing a whole lot of sexy was in 2008's Pleasure. An older relative gave it to me for Christmas and I blushed so much through out it that all I could hope was that she hadn't read it prior to giving it to me.

With the beginning of the Gideon series, 2007's Sleeping with Strangers, Dickey introduced us to the darker, more masculine side of his stories. If I remember correctly, this was really the first time that his lead character was a male. A killer for hire, Gideon is the focus of four books, which is somewhat unusual for the author. He seems to like to utilizing characters for one story and then moving on from them. It would seem that he found his voice within Gideon.

Tempted by Trouble introduces the reader to a new character, Dmytryk Knight. An out of work former executive turned assembly line worker, Dmytryk is struggling to maintain his home, his marriage and his sanity in Detroit. His out of work wife, Cora, has taken to stripping to bring money into the house while Dmytryk picks up odd jobs here and there. A chance encounter in the strip club introduces Dmytryk to a way of life that he never imagined, as the getaway man for a crew of bank robbers.

Dmytryk isn't cut out for the life of a thief, but if it keeps Cora happy, he's willing to do it. When his latest heist goes wrong and Cora disappears, Dmytryk has to decide if this is really the path he wants to continue down. With fast paced writing and several twists and turns, Eric Jerome Dickey has created yet another page turner.

What did you like about this book?
There were quite a few unexpected surprises and I loved that.

What didn't you like about this book?
Dickey never comes out and tells the reader what race Dmytryk is. One could infer from his parents names, as well as his, that his origins are European, but the fact that he was born and raised in Detroit and attended Cass Technical High, a predominantly black school leads you to wonder if he's black. I would suspect that the author wanted to leave it up to the reader to decide. Ultimately it doesn't matter what race Dmytryk is since this isn't a black or white story, but a human story.

What could the author do to improve this book?
Dmytryk is the lead character and so much of the story is built around him. I would have liked more background on the other players though.

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started listening to this book, I found it really difficult to like Tempted by Trouble because I didn’t like any of the characters. Dmytryk was weak. There’s nothing I hate worse than a weak azz man and Dmytryk went above and beyond to show just how weak he was behind that backstabbin’ traitorous wife of his. I saw through Cora’s Maybelline from the moment she was introduced so, I don’t understand why it took Dmytryk six years to finally see what kind of woman he married. Cora was selfish, ungrateful, and disrespectful. It wasn’t all that surprising that she ended up in Eddie Coyle’s bed. We all know that heffa slept with him when she came home with that fur coat. Dmytryk was the only one delusional about that. And, Jackie’s azz was just unstable. Dmytryk showed just how bad his taste in women was when he slept with her crazy azz. On top of the dislikable characters, there wasn’t a black woman in sight in this book. Cora and Jackie were both of Hispanic descent. I’m not a fan of interracial relationships so, I gave myself major cool points for even finishing this book. And after all of the murder, betrayal, and disrespect, Dmytryk’s weak azz still took Cora back and left the money! Or, so I thought. Honey, my mind was blown when I realized that whole scene that played out in the kitchen was with Cora’s ghost! You betta come through with the major plot twist! Everything that happened from the time Cora begged Dmytryk to take her back to when the FBI knocked on his door was a figment of his imagination. Whew! I’m just glad he finally man upped and killed that heffa, Jackie, and Eddie Coyle. But, Cora definitely earned that hot led. There were so many twists and turns in this book and, although I didn't like most of the characters I have to say, EJD kept the storyline so interesting that I couldn’t stop reading. In the end, Tempted by Trouble turned out to be a really good book.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to be a big fan of Eric Jerome Dickey's earlier works: Sister Sister, Friends and Lovers, Milk in My Coffee, Liars Game, Between Lovers, and The Other Woman are some of my favorites. Then he started moving more into crime novels with his Gideon series and I was NOT a fan, so EJD had kind of fallen off my must-read list (although as I look through his bio now, I remember reading and liking Pleasure also, the last EJD novel I read.)

I read the synopsis of this one and figured it sounded interesting enough for me to give it a try and I'm glad I did.

The main character Dymytryk has fallen on some hard times-lost his job and his wife has left him. He finds himself as part of a bank robbery ring, under the operation of a man named Eddie Coyle (and I really disliked how he was ALWAYS referenced by the full name Eddie Coyle throughout the book.)

Lots of twists and turns in this one and although I didn't like many of the characters (with the exception of Dymytryk) EJD kept the storyline interesting enough for me to keep reading to find out what happened to them.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dmytryk Knight was an educated respectable man.He followed the blue prints of the American dream get married buy a house. He,d done it all by the book. But when a crippling recession annihilates the auto industry, Dmytryk and Core his wife find themselves without jobs and there home in foreclosure. After two years working any jobs they can find just to survive and pay the bills. They realize that integrity doesn,t pay the bills. When a ruthless criminal by the name of Eddie Coyle gives Dmytryk an opportunity to make fast money . Cora urges him to take the job. Torn between desparation and his valves but unable to resist the promise of instant cash he gives in and takes the job-Than Cora vanishes. Now one last job away from having enough to leave Eddie and find Cora. The job goes dangerously wrong. He realizes he can plan all he wants but sometimes fate has a different agenda for us.This was a fantastic book.

[kisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never thought i'd give an EJD book two stars. Maybe i would have liked it had i not read the gideon series and some of his other books. but now that i know what he's capable of; TBT was just flat out unacceptable. I know in the gideon series he goes above everyone's head, but he really dumbed it down a little too much with this book. it doesnt even sound like an EJD book. I dont know if he was trying to dumb it down some, or if this was a "stuck in a contract rushed" kinda book. I didnt finish it. VERY DISAPPOINTED. this book was an epic fail.....(sorry EJD)

[ABAgail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride! I've definitely been sleeping on Eric Jerome Dickey's books.

If you're looking for a mix of mystery and adventure, then I highly recommend this book.

I was held captive by the description and dialogue and was shocked by the ending.

[Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of drama: stress, sex, squabbles, gruesome violence, and bad behavior. It all makes Dmytryk the narrator feel squeamish, but on the other hand, as he puts it, “It was crazy. It was erotic. And it was wrong. And it felt good.”

Calculated to keep you nervous and filled with apprehension about what may happen next or what just happened in the recent past that the author has not told the reader about yet. A good bit of obvious foreshadowing and clumsy images, such as a death gasp that sounds like “gargling peanut butter.” It also sports a cast of characters so full of their own nonsense that they are universally both unsympathetic and repulsive, and, worst of all for a work of fiction, so predictably boring that they are completely uninteresting.

Don’t think of this as a crime doesn’t pay cautionary tale. Dmytryk, the exemplary male chauvinist of the pack, is the only survivor of the final climactic carnage, and gets to walk away from kidnapping, murder, and armed robbery charges for a fresh start, after he finishes his last illicit Vicodin.

Even Dion Graham fine narration can’t save this disgusting train wreck of a book.

[Shamieka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes wanting to know what is going to happen next. It ended a little oddly to me, but I had to go back and remember certain things in the story. I would love to discuss this with other readers. I am new to the site and don't want to post questions and reveal "secrets" to readers who haven't read it yet.

[Chandrabrown80 Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this book. Slow, slow pace and not interesting at all.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Tempted by Trouble by Eric Jerome Dickey, Dmytryk Knight and his wife, Cora, have done everything by the book to live out the American dream and life was golden for them until the auto industry tanks, and they both find themselves unemployed. Still, wanting to live the golden life, the couple gets creative with their skills and do what is necessary to try to hold the creditors at bay. But, this has a negative effect on the couple’s relationship and Cora, who becomes wary of the efforts needed to just hold on, tells Dmytryk to “man up” to an opportunity to make fast money. So, for the love of his wife, Dmytryk decides to meet with Eddie Coyle to better understand the opportunity and realizes he was in without an out, once Cora mentioned him to Eddie. Well, now Cora is gone without a trace and Dymtryk needs just enough money to get his life back on the right track and find Cora. But, the best plans always need a backup and with the twisted turn of events, Dymtryk will either need several backup plans or does he really have everything under control?

I enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and from page one the story unfurls like watching a classic 1950’s style Hollywood crime film. All of the characteristics of a mystery noir was present; tough, cynical characters with self-destructive tendencies, female characters of questionable virtue, betrayals and double-crosses, use of sex and jealousy to advance the plot, and a pessimistic tone to an already bleak story.

Tempted by Trouble has all of the elements fans of Eric Jerome Dickey have come to expect in his stories. The excellent voice of the narrator, Dymtryk, reveals just enough for me to understand his thoughts but yet not too much so the twists and turns of the story kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the secondary characters, and using Eddie Coyle for the name of the head boss of the crime team will have mystery film lovers chuckling. Lastly, there is the well-crafted language and excellent locale description.

I recommend this book to readers of mystery noir novels and fans of Eric Jerome Dickey who enjoy following his writing journey.

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated being able to read an advanced copy of this, as I'd never been introduced to his works. It's definitely not my usual sort of book, but I enjoy being exposed to all types of works. That said, it felt a bit forced, and while the story had intriguing ideas, the language did not read with the smoothness I hoped for, and I likewise expect above all else genuine characters, which this seemed to struggle in portraying. I think the key reason may be a lack of familiarity with where the story takes place--the language, the setting... it didn't ring true, so I had trouble believing it, rather suspending my disbelief so as to enjoy it, which is ultimately what I hope any work of fiction will accomplish.

It isn't difficult to read; it caters to a more casual or young audience in its prose... however, it won't be joining Ship Breaker or Hunger Games or Paper Towns in the books I'll recommend to revive the desire to read in youth, for instance, or even in adults who struggle to endure Naked Lunches reading works full of Infinite Jest or Staggering Genius. That said, at least for those who wish to read it, a rural library (as the one in my city only sells books to raise funds and it'd be worth far less after a year or more collecting dust!) system nearby owns a copy of this book they lacked, so it went to very good use, as anything getting people reading in my eyes is achieving something positive.

[Debbie J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right off the bat Tempted by Trouble seemed familiar to me. I believe I started reading it at a point in my pre-Goodreads past but didn't finish. This time I soldiered through despite the huge effort posed by the overblown writing.

For example, I'm unsure why the simple act of spitting needs comparing to existentialism:

Again I coughed and spat on the frozen sidewalk. My saliva was thick and tinted the ice with spit the hue of my wounded heart. Sartre must've built thus wretched world, a rotating purgatory that had blizzards, earthquakes, bitter wives, and no exit.

Oh please. Self-indulgent much?

Some might call Tempted by Trouble an airport book; I wouldn’t. First, there's excessive filler and annoyingly repetitive descriptions. Second, the author tends to drop odd, esoteric-sounding references for no apparent reason than perhaps to impress readers who’d otherwise consider the story lowbrow.

Finally, I had to wonder if writer Eric Jerome Dickey has an advertising deal with Johnston & Murphy shoes given how often he refers to them here. After the third mention the narrative begins to feel more like chick lit versus cheap noir-ish fiction.

I suppose Dickey, someone whose other work I’ve enjoyed, must’ve tried imitating the hardboiled style of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. Unfortunately he laughably fails the attempt--in my opinion, anyway.

[Bennita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun ride.

Dmytryk and Cora are a married couple that fell on hard times. After a recession, they go from professionals to factory workers. They are struggling, but surviving, only Cora wants more. She want her old life. She wants money. She's tired of living from paycheck to paycheck and stripping in the local club and being treated like meat by the patrons.
Tired of being broke, Cora finally leaves Dmytryk.


In order to make money, Dmytryk agrees to be the driver in the get-a-way car for a bank robbery, but shit hits the fan and his crew is gunned down except for him and Jackie. The front man, Eddie Coyle, whom Dmytryk reports to has another job for Dmytryk, which includes a robbery with his estranged wife, Cora. Dmytryk discovers that Cora is now in a relationship with Eddie Coyle.

This book plays out like a movie. Infidelity and distrust tear Dmytryk apart. He has to sit by and watch his wife with another man. My heart broke form him because he had traditional values and was willing to take Cora back even after she betrayed him. In the end, everyone got just what they deserved and the book left me smiling, yet heartbroken.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dmytryk and Cora loose their jobs in the auto industry during "the great recession". They are barely living paycheck to paycheck doing legal work, when Cora introduces Dmytryk to a man who can help them put quick money in their pockets.

After a job or two, Cora runs out on Dmytryk and his new goal is to earn enough quick money to find his wife and bring her back. What he finds in the end is something that breaks his heart and but considering the circumstances...he keeps it moving.

By the end of the story I was basically exhausted from listening to it, so I think the last few chapters are "dreams" of the ending of the last jobs. But in the end, he got what he always wanted before Cora left them.

I found this book to be more entertaining than I thought. I may have to revisit more of Mr. Dickey's current books.

[LaTonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that this book could have been better. It was just too slow for me and didn't pick up until towards the end. It felt as if something was missing and I didn't really care for the ending. I expected more from EJD, especially after just finishing the Gideon series, which I thought were four AWESOME reads. Overall, the book wasn't bad and I would definitely recommend if you're an EJD fan, but for me it was just okay, and I LOVE most of his books. On a good note, I really did like the lead character and his personality and that's what kept me intrigued and interested enough to finish the book.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a book by Eric Jerome Dickey before but I am definetly going to read other books by him now.

This book was about respectable people whom are down on their lucks, the types of things that they do to try and keep their family together. Next thing hyou know, there are bank robbers and people go missing and Dymitryk needs to decided if the way his and his families lives are going is truely where they need to be, and how can they all get back to the life they had before. Smart, sexy, and entertaining is where I leave this book. A great read all around.

[Karena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book. I liked it, I tend to always like EJD's books. I like his style of writing, I like How he travels to different cities and countries to do his research for his books.
For this novel, he wrote about a married couple who were financial distress in their marriage and the circumstances they took to try to stay afloat of their situation. I could definitely relate to the themes of economic distress in this book. I always look forward to read more from this author.

[Zarinah · Rating 3 out of 5]

i borrowed this from the library and I liked the idea of the book I just sort of miss the diolouge Mr Dickey used to have between couples and characters in general. I think that his book was nice and definetly easy read but I wasnt drawn to the characters like in his previous novels. enjoy it or reread some of his old novels i just did it was a great refresher of why i love his novels

[Sharon James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempted by Trouble was actually an interesting read. This is a great "take your mind of your troubles" adventure. It the story of a couple who due to the economy, lost their jobs and resorted to robbing banks. The story takes a couple of twist and turns, but keeps you interested.

[Born True Bethea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read. It was surprising that EJD left the California settings where many of his books start and ends for Michigan and Georgia, but it was good. The only thing i was dissapointed in was the ending. Simply because i would've made the other choice.

[Debra Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

how far would you go to please or take care of your spouse.

[Ruthe McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it in one day! It is dark, and reminiscent of a noir film. I loved the first person account, and the back and forth between reality and the mind.

[Brandi Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

He did it again...literary masterpiece! Sort of pridictable, but very moving still.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best he has written so far. I loved it.

[Kisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story about the trials of loving someone and trying to maintain a marriage.

It’s funny how deep rooted morals and values (or lack of) rise to the surface when you least expect them to. One person’s level of commitment is rarely matched.

It’s also interesting to see the lengths someone will go to and then to see how/why they rationalize their actions, often blaming someone else.

I really enjoyed this story until we got towards the end. I began to get frustrated by the jumping back and forth. I would get confused by what was going on and have to backtrack to see where I got off. Only to find out, that I hadn’t really gotten off track. What was being said and what was going on was not always the same.

But overall, it was a good read.

[Lizzbetty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think I was going to like this book....

I didn’t think I was going to like this book when the first guy died. Ick! But! Then the humanity of Dmytrck settled in. I was honestly waiting to read that his entire relationship was a setup. At least it sound that way to me.
I have to sit here and applaud Mr. Dickey. I’ve had this book for awhile and I’m glad I’ve finally read it. Now it’s time to read the next one.

[Susan Frazier-Kouassi]

Ok, I know that Dickey was a prolific writer (May he rest in peace), and this was my 1st time reading one of his books (I listened to it on audio), but, I was not really impressed. I kept trying to figure out if the person he was communicating with was still alive or a ghost. Because of my commitment to start what I finish, I did finish it, but, that's the end of the line for me and Dickey. What do others think?

[kamira wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

….A Tragic Love Story

If Romeo and Juliet were adults in modern times struggling then they would be dymytrk and cora. I’m always intrigued by love and relationships and what those who figure it out know that I don’t.

[G B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome...it was like watching a movie, very well written...