Diamond Drought

Diamond series #1

by Brandon McCalla

Introducing America's First Hip-hop Soap Opera! Rich was once your typical drug-dealing street hustler with dreams of the music industry and chrome rims that keep spinning even when the car stops. Now he has finally anteed up. He s acquired a new whip, more technology for his producing endeavors, and a less visibly active grip on his lucrative drug empire. He has bigger sights and a more legitimate dream ahead of him. Rich has grown weary of all the drug doings and bullet dodging. He secretly wants out of the game and has situated a financial endeavor with his partner Afta that will possibly pull him out of the grind. Rich s plan seemed so simple continue to produce the hottest beats and drop that album he s been working on with the Legacy clique so he can buy that huge, capacious home his woman Leaya has her sights on. She always gets what she wants. But someone doesn t want that to happen. Someone in Rich s past wants him dead. An old nemesis that s just as cagey and smart as he is. Someone who knows Rich just as well as he knows himself DIAMOND DROUGHT walks you through a Hip Hop Soap Drama circled around Rich s filthy existence with an incredible supporting cast and host of characters The hazel-eyed thug Major The Prada brat Anna The black Erika Kane Shantel And the enigmatic Pimp Willie Green With a cameo appearance by the Dark Man himself DMX DIAMOND DROUGHT, Book One of the Diamond Series. Walk with them Review "An urban Soprano crime drama" -- Nikki Turner - A Hustler's Wife, Project Chick"

228 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Brandon Dewitt McCalla was born in Brooklyn New York in 1971. He was always an intense reader starting with Marvel Comic books, but a copy of J.R.R.Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings collecting dust on the book self in the living room was the true catalyst that set off the spark that would eventually make him an author. Once he graduated from high school and began his freshman year of college he also began to write his first novel. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in English and put his writing endeavors aside to dabble in the music industry co owning his own record label and producing music. The music industry is a cold and harsh environment and Brandon felt more incubated with the way his thoughts weaved stories and realized that his true love was what he started college doing as a simple hobby.

McCalla considers himself more a science fiction/fantasy writer. However, his first published novel Diamond Drought, book one in his Diamond Series trilogy, is pure street fiction — an ode to the hip hop community. He specifically wrote the gangsta soap opera for people who love the culture and want an entertaining and fast paced read. Something for the train when you’re on it early in the morn; something to spark that day off before work or college...

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diamond Drought is the first book in the hip-hop soap opera, Diamond Series. This book is definitely hip-hop fiction. The excessive use of foul language and ghetto slang detract from the reading. This soap opera unfolds on the streets of New York, with the story centered on "Filthy" Rich and his illegal activities. Rich is heavily involved in the drug trade and directs the crime family that runs the avenue with no questions asked. Major, Afta, and Prime are the soldiers who protect Rich, manage the dealings on the avenue as well as operate the club, Diamonds, and the small music studio, Ghetto Sounds. Rich plans to quit the drug trade and turn music producer which will in turn propel his boy, Prime, into the limelight as a rap superstar.

The other players in the melodrama are females and commonly referred to as B%&*$'s. Rich's girl is Leaya, a chick down for whatever when it comes to her man. Leaya is an "around-the-way-girl" who uses Rich's money to floss on the avenue every day. Anna, Leaya's best friend, is a ghetto college student in love with designer labels and men who can fund her spending habits. Shantel, labeled the black Erica Kane, is a cutthroat high-class businesswoman determined to get exactly what she wants in business and in men. Monique is a refined sista who catches the train to read and drink coffee at Starbucks. The other players are Willie, the pimp extraordinaire; Germany, the white girl rapper; and Sparkles, the stripper.

The drama is about sex, drugs and rap music. The story intensifies when gunshots are fired at the club. Who is behind the shots? Which person is supposed to die? What role does Willie play and why does he hate Rich so much? Most of the questions will be answered in the end but some loose ties were left for those readers who will be interested enough to buy the second book in this series. This is definitely a story for those in the hip-hop generation and if you are not familiar with slang used on the East coast forget about understanding the language used. The idea of a hip-hop soap opera is interesting but the story did not have multi-dimensional characters or depth. I have to mention that the author states in the area usually reserved for thanking those instrumental in the development of the work for readers to "buy my %$#& book". Kinda sets you back, huh. What the heck was he thinking? I will definitely have to be strong-armed to read the next installment in this series. Hopefully, it will have more literary value.

[Ms.Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

I'm not even going to lie. I was skeptical coming into this read. I heard that it was all that, but haven't we all heard that? The author himself was reppin his book hard, but what author wouldn't? So I prepared for disappointment. After all, this book hails itself as being America's first hip hop soap opera. Come on! A hip hop soap opera? That just meant to me another book with a large cast of characters most of whom would either not be fully developed or leave me questioning their existence in the first place. And with this in mind, I began to read . . . .

Diamond Drought is set in the streets of New York around main characters Rich "Filthy Rich" and his lady Leaya. Rich, a drug dealer at the top of his game, is ready to move on to more legit ventures - producing music and opening a club. Beautiful Leaya is in love with Rich, but is insecure about their relationship. She knows what she has and that other women would love to have it too. They are surrounded by a cast of characters. Some friends, some foes. Some who want nothing but the best for them, and some with hidden agendas. Friends become foes, and the drama ensues.

Now with all that said - I liked it. Brandon pulled it off. It was definitely an attention holding gritty street drama with twists and turns. Even though there are a lot of characters, each one was properly developed with a good balance. You knew enough to understand their actions, but not too much to predict them. Good story that leaves readers anticipating book two.
BUT . . . (there is always a but) I also had some issues with this book. The first being the language used to refer to women. Pretty much every woman was a b*tch, broad, or dame. I lost count after awhile. Second, the redundant references of designer clothes. Prada. Coogi. Paul Smith. Kate Spade. Sean Jean. Enough already! We get it. And third, the rap lyrics. Don't get me wrong, I love hip hop and rap as much as the next (50 is my BABY, G-G-G-G-Unit!) but I got tired of all the verses and passed over them.

I enjoyed the book. I do recommend it. And I look forward to "Diamond Dynasty." But Brandon sweetie, clean it up brother. We are mothers. We are sisters. We are daughters. Respect us as such.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melodramatic hip-hop-era

Ponder if you will a soap opera that unfolds on the streets of New York. Instead of the stage being inside your television it's in book form. Set in black and white with Brandon as the narrator. YOUR own visualizations bring this baby to light. This melodramatic hip-hop-era, if you will is INTENSE.

Think of the rap lyrics, the infamous use of the B word, star wars lingo, and ALL of the fashion labels as mere commercials.

The focus is on "FILTHY" Rich. Who isn't as "FILTHY" as some of the other cast! Rich is a hustler, with aspirations of breaking into the music industry as a producer. He and his girl Leaya have been cohabitating for 3 years. Believe it or not she's a VERY INSECURE shop-o-holic! Didn't see that being the best of her did we? Leaya's suspicious of her man's late nights. She pacifies her girl Anna with some PRADA to keep a careful eye on her man. That within itself leads to more drama. But for who?

Rich's squad is comprised of Afta, Prime, and Major. They are the ones that oversee the actions out on the AVENUE and Ghetto sounds. Although Rich's days are numbered hustlin' he still hasn't told Leaya about his newest acquisition Diamonds'. The name is very significant to his "Princess".

Rich's number one nemesis has set an attack to FINALLY eliminate him. Rich meets Shantel. She's a "FILTHY" music producer with a hidden agenda. Imagine that! Is this merely a coincidence that she was turned on to Rich?

As the suspense builds watch out for the double-crossing tragedy, but does it end there?

I am a card holding member of the ITCHBA society! Not because some man uses that word to refer to women in general. BUT IT'S because I along with my ITCHBA's have given the word A REAL POWER! AND A HELL OF A MEANING! I'm stating not glorifying. I don't want to besmirch my character because I know who Crystal is!

Brandon, I think you have a very PECULIAR style in the way you choose to use YOUR words.