Diamond In The Ruff Part 1: Relief Part 1

by Yolanda Diamond, Monque Hall (Editor)

DeDe, born Yolese Drummond as her family and friends called her growing up on the Southside of Atlanta. It was better than being worthless or an addict. She was whoever she wanted to be. But the question in her mind was “who will I become?”DeDe lived the fast life and with it came things she never imagined. It never occurred to her that the fast lane she was in would come crashing down on her.She wondered how she ever survived it all. The drugs, the abuse, the rape, and having a child at such a young age. She wondered how many other girls had been through the same drama she experienced. Was she the only one? Her mind began questioning itself? Surely not, she thought. But would they have survived?The contemplation of suicide plagued her days after the brutal rape. She remembered how the alcohol made her made her feel as if she had nothing else to lose; after all the ultimate violation of a human being, short of taking a life, had been perpetrated upon her.When the alcohol no longer filled her void, she added cocaine to her list of self-destructive vices until each day was just a passing phase of oblivion.Existing without reason or cause. It is what it is, her inner ego echoed incessantly. For those who knew truly what she had endured during her life, would now know at first sight she was a Diamond in the Ruff. BLING! BLING!

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2012

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book it has potential Yolese grew up in an abusive home along with being raped but everything that happened to her she kept to herself she was smart worked her way thru to get her own place so that she knows she won't be abused her mother is a different story I can't wait to read the next book I recommend this book to everyone to read

[Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!! Yolanda Diamond

This book had me cussing,fussing and getting ready upset cause some of this stuff that happen in this book bit close to home but other than that it was a great book I will be looking forward to read more of your books.

[Marla Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

This was my first read by this author. It was a good read that pretty much held my attention. There were however irritable typos. Waiting on part 2.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond In The Ruff

Beautifully written, this a heart whelming and powerful book to say the least. Yolese went through a lot in her childhood that took a huge toll on her adult life. The different circumstances she had to deal with was heartbreaking no one should of went through the pain, and suffering she went through. As she got older the only way she could cope with the pain was by harming herself. Most times people feel they are the ones who's doing wrong when people constantly hurt, and mistreat them and that's with happened to Yolese. She met a good gentleman Big Cee but there's more to him then meet the eyes, and once she realizes the truth she becomes blindly by love. Using drugs as her pain relief. I forgot to mention she has a three year old son, who's looking up to her but will her actions make someone take him? This a very touching book that will make look back, and be grateful for the life you have. Because Yolese had it very rough from being abused physically, and sexuality by the people she love, and having a mother that put men before her and her other siblings. I'm glad in the end she seriously got help, because those voices had her doing crazy things. This is a must read, I recommend to everyone. You never know reading this may change your life for the better.

[Charie Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me that, "We fall down but we get up!"

I enjoyed the first installment of this series. The journey from childhood to adulthood really helps to understand Yolese's journey.

These seemed to just want love and acceptance from her mother and it seemed as if she searched her life trying to find the understanding as to why her she could not obtain that.

Can't wait to read part two, it just got steamy!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the ending got me wanting more. it took so damn long because I've been trying to read multiple books at once on different devices. but now I'm finish and need to have more of this ruff diamond.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story that got slow in some parts but eventually picked up. It had the typical happy ending but I am intrigued to know what is going to happen with Yolese in part 2.

[Pamela Johnston Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.