Tricks for a Trade

by Lloyd Johnson

Three lives are intertwined by ambition, rejection, and seduction, as three men chase their dreams, and hope the end justifies the means.

Gary must take on the conservative elite to grasp the political opportunity of a lifetime, while Cabrien pines for love, and holds a secret that could destroy those who’ve hurt him—and many more. Armando receives an indecent proposal that would enrage most men, himself included. But everyone has their price.

Love is cheap and memories are long in Tricks for a Trade, where every day is a careful dance between ruin and reward. Gary, Cabrien and Armando know what they want, but how far will they go to get it, and what will it cost them?

338 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2014

About the author

Some writers are drawn to heroes, others glory in bringing villains to life. Lloyd Johnson has always felt most comfortable in the dark, murky landscape that exists in-between. It started early, when his mother received a call from an alarmed schoolteacher. Lloyd’s latest essay was too conflicted for a ten-year-old mind; he was melancholic, fatalistic, a drug-addict in the making! “Or he’s just a damn good writer,” his mother had snapped, before telling Lloyd he had a gift to pursue, and a duty to explore the expanses of his imagination. Wherever it might lead him.
After early interests in fashion design and acting, Lloyd came home to writing. He tends to break important rules like writing across genres and breathing life into characters and subjects most authors avoid. To date he’s published three novels, including a women’s contemporary fiction titled The Dog Catcher, the erotic novel Tricks for a Trade, and most recently The Best Possible Angle, a mystery thriller.
Johnson draws much of his inspiration from his extensive travels overseas. When he isn’t sitting in cafes, spying on unsuspecting characters-in-the-making, he’s working on his next four novels.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tricks for a Trade” was an excellent novel that captured my attention from the beginning and never once let it go. Each scene was compelling, necessary, and thoroughly developed {no needless rambling wordiness or conversations to slow it down}. The descriptions are rich and detailed with everyone as they navigate the ups and downs of their tumultuous, scandalous and sometimes shocking experiences This is more of a character-driven novel instead of an action-based one, but the timeline of events less than 4 months so it feels like so much happens! But that doesn’t mean there isn’t action because believe me there is – not just in the bedroom, but those scenes were very evocative as well. This is a book that after a certain point pretty early on you just HAVE to keep reading because you want to know how it will all play out, and this only increases more toward the end too, and I was not at all disappointed.

[Sharondblk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know what to make of this book. It was published in 2016, so I'm not sure why NetGalley gave me a review copy, but I'm not complaining. It's about three main characters, all African American - Cabrian, who is gay and a bit in love with Drake, Drake who is gay (and out) and who works for a Black Republican organisation and Armando, who is straight but has lost his job and needs money. There are complex relationships between all of them, and other characters, and it's quite the tangle. The plot weaves and twists, but it's mainly personality driven. The ending could have gone either way, but how it went (no spoilers) was quite satisfying.,
This book was king of trashy, but I could not put it down. I'm glad I read it.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not let the cover fool you. This is A very good book overall. Yes, there are gay characters, but do not let that deter you as there are also straight characters. The characters are all connected in some way to each other, finding out how is the joy of reading the book. I will look for more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

[Johanna Parker-Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

! was genuinely surprised by how much I liked “Tricks for a Trade” by Lloyd Johnson. Usually stick to straight romance or paranormal/fantasy but since I enjoyed another of Mr. Johnson’s books I’d read a while ago, I wanted to try this one as well. And like the other one, from the first pages, I was all in. I liked it for so many different reasons, first the writing was strong and conveys a lot of imagery in few words. The characters and their hot-button, dramatic, and relatable lives – despite their circumstances- makes it a very easy book to just get lost in. Only a few parts a thought were a bit melodramatic and hard to believe, and I didn’t care for Karen’s portrayal at all – she just came across as a 1-dimensional stereotype of the ‘super crazy girlfriend’, and shows fewer redeeming qualities then some of the men who are behaving far worse (cheating, lying, fighting…) But the story was really good overall, and I liked the character transformations that happen (and with whom it happens) that you won’t see coming…. almost mesmerizing to watch unfold, and I liked that there is a very ‘romantic’ and emotional aspect to their storyline that goes beyond just sex. There individual storylines come together and gave a fulfilling, emotional payoff at the end. Well worth the time to read it, in my opinion, and I hope to read more from Mr. Johnson soon. This is a standalone book, not part of any series, but I recommend to mature readers of literary drama/erotic romance with LGTB theme.

[Heather Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, author voice is almost everything, and it will make or break a novel and my enjoyment of it. I need to hear originality and know that the author is not trying to sound or write like someone else (or imitate the plot of a popular novel), but is telling HIS story in a whole new way, whatever that story may be. I feel like I can smell a fake a mile away, and believe me I’ve read my fair share of books from authors who are ‘trying’ to emulate better, more accomplished authors in their genre. What impressed me the most here was how just so darn ‘real’ everything about this book from Lloyd Johnson was. From the moral and ethical ambiguity, to the dialogue between the different characters depending on their relationship, the actions ‘speaking louder than words’, how we can grow to care so much about a character (like Cambrien and Drake) that I never in a million years would have expected. All the characters and their storylines are fully realized and fleshed out, something that is not easily done. It definitely was not what I was expecting, but I think I liked it even more that way. The narrative is very observant and reflects real-world attitudes on topics form social pressure, economic hardship, religious pressure and romantic desires – touches on race and sexuality and is brutally honest. Johnson holds nothing back here and while that may rub some people the wrong way, to me that is what made it more memorable.

[Ellen Pennino · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tricks For A Trade” was easy to read quickly, and had many themes and elements of my favorite types of novels, plus some situations I haven’t really read before and was not expecting. Everything from (dysfunctional) relationships, verbal/physical abuse, friendships, romance and love, secrets and betrayal, survival and sexual self-discovery… and so more….. Solid balance with the narrative and dialogue, and I was happy with how the characters were the ones to pull the story forward, not the author’s narration. Reading the graphic sex scenes were much more thrilling than I would have imagined, and while there were a few places I was a little grossed out, it works with the story and the characters. I was so involved in each of their lives the whole time except for 1 or 2 who are awful. and felt like we were experiencing these twisted escapades in real-time. Editing could use a little cleaning up, and there were a few places where the story would suddenly shift from one characters POV to another seamlessly in a page (no warning of a change), and that was a little jarring – nothing some formatting couldn’t fix. An intriguing, sexy, heartbreaking and enlightening story about the role sex plays, and the games people play to get what they want and need… and the consequences. Adults only.

[Tanya Guardino-Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read the whole thing in two nights, which is fast for me, because I’m a super slow reader. But it just seemed to go by so quickly and I never wanted to stop reading it, even late into the evening. I was entranced, fascinated, aroused, and at times even a little horrified by the world Lloyd Johnson created here, one so realistic and authentic we feel like it is almost happening to us. He manages to pack just so much ‘story’ inside one novel... as this book doesn’t have A plot… it has several. The focus will shift throughout, from character to character, but they are all connected and their fates entwined. Johnson does a terrific job with the details, from conversations, to moral dilemmas, to the sex scenes… really adds flavor and authenticity needed to really bring the characters and their story to life. Great writing, too. Too much happens in this book to cover properly in a short review so you really just have to read it for yourself… you will not be disappointed! Warning – some graphic scenes that are not for the squeamish or uptight. Lots of language and only for mature audience.

[Danielle Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Lloyd Johnson created a riveting, emotionally complex story that surprised me in more ways than one. Some disturbing things happen – physically and emotionally—with the characters we meet. This is not some erotic fluff piece masquerading as a novel, but more of an edgy look into a different side of life, and the complications real people – and couples- face. Some of the most intriguing characters, I’ve encountered in a long time, anywhere, and I could picture everything happening perfectly. I think the story as a whole could have benefitted from some more proofreading for repetition and punctuation mistakes, but nothing awful. The inter-connected storylines were so dramatic and paced well I like how we are not just bystanders in each of their storylines, but engaged throughout and watch them all connect sometimes in unexpected ways. The ending is somewhat bittersweet – happy for some, sad for other, and seriously Armando is an idiot. Has sensitive/graphic scenes so recommended for ages 18+.

[Candice Whaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

a captivating read by Lloyd Johnson. The book is categorized as “urban fiction” on amazon, but that’s like saying the Titanic is a ship. Well… yes, however there is much more to it, and while I knew it had heavy sexual content going in and from reading some reviews, it definitely falls into the class of romance/erotica novel. Some people may be put off if they aren’t expecting that, as well as the M/M scenes. But if you're a fan of that genre, you will love this: No cheesy dialogue or awkward character situations or contrived plots centered around repetitive sex scenes.. The characters are REAL and...you guessed it...HOT. Make sure you have a cold glass of wine by your side when you start reading, and you won’t want to stop until the final page.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s quite possible I hate every character in this book. The book is trashy, very trashy, and in making it so unrepentantly trashy, the author has rendered almost every character into a caricature. There’s not really anyone left to root for. It doesn’t help that I came to this book expecting some quality gay content and not only is the first sex scene straight, but the first gay character we meet is so riddled with stereotypes that it is actually painful to read. I will not be returning to this author.

[kenyanewsome1975gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

Behind the mother of a gay chi!d I was intrigued to read this story.. It let you see what's out there for those that don't have the support of loved ones. Although it was fictional it's indeed very real ! It's a scary lifestyle and something I always tell my daughter is I'm always in her corner backing her anyway I can. I'm happy to see in the end Cabrien got himself together in the end and would love to see more from the author Lloyd Johnson

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three guys Gary, Cabrien and Armando and a whole lot of choices that could change their lives in drastic ways. I think a part of me liked this book because of the complexity of the decisions each character had to make and how it was interwoven with their racial background, however the other part felt like the author left so many unresolved issues- and let's admit it, the ending could have gone either way, it just had to go the way that it ought to at the time.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Ken Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult book for me to read. Set in the black community of Minneapolis in 2008, Johnson uses argot for verisimilitude in dialog which doesn't always translate. About a dozen major characters, many tumbling in physical interactions, frequently with one another, both conventional and male-male. I found some of the scenes eye raising, some flashbacks true, but had to occasionally force myself to continue.

[kelly walkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good storyline!

Loved the characters they were funny sometimes sad but full of life. Drake is one to be reckoned with . My hopes were that he would change. But truthfully not all people can change. Excellent read! Enjoy

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good read kinda wish there was more but was definitely a good book. Maybe there will be a part two??

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was in complete to me even though the writing was good I still did not get the ending I was looking for.. Many unresolved issues.

[Vanessa young · Rating 1 out of 5]

2 much

All over the place garbage wish it had more yo do with the title ... . . . . .