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Strapped
Amber Jones A.K.A Lil Bit was born with the odds totally against her. “A Hard Knock Life” is the best way to describe her childhood years. The verbal, physical and sexual abuse that she endured as a child built a cold brick wall around her tender heart. The death of her mother at an early age leaves her with no guidance in life and she’s forced to navigate through the best way that she knows how.
Her life brightens up in her teen-age years when she meets her Prince Charming, Maurice, who steps in and relieves her of all of her misery. Maurice is a cold-hearted Kingpin and leader of the drug organization known in the streets of Newark as The Federation. A strong and powerful leader he is. She learns a great deal from him. He teaches her the code of the streets, the meaning of loyalty, honor, morals and principles. Most importantly he teaches her the true meaning of love.
His jealous and controlling demeanor has always been an issue but she somehow managed to live with it because of her love for him. Loving him, as easy as it may be, it’s not at her best interest to do so due to the fact that he’s a married man. For years she’s played number two to his wife but as the years creep by she descends further and further down the list of his multiple women. Finally just as she’s becoming tired of being just another one of his prizes a man that she feels truly loves her enters her life.
She’s stuck at the crossroads not knowing whether to continue her and Maurice’s complicated love affair or to cut off their intimate ties and only retain their business affairs. The only problem with that is as much as Maurice has emphasized never mixing business with pleasure when it comes to her he has a problem practicing what he preaches.
What’s a girl to do? She finds herself trapped in between unconditional love and the love of money. To make a decision in the name of love could not only affect her luxurious lifestyle, it could also jeopardize her life and the life of her true love.
Her life brightens up in her teen-age years when she meets her Prince Charming, Maurice, who steps in and relieves her of all of her misery. Maurice is a cold-hearted Kingpin and leader of the drug organization known in the streets of Newark as The Federation. A strong and powerful leader he is. She learns a great deal from him. He teaches her the code of the streets, the meaning of loyalty, honor, morals and principles. Most importantly he teaches her the true meaning of love.
His jealous and controlling demeanor has always been an issue but she somehow managed to live with it because of her love for him. Loving him, as easy as it may be, it’s not at her best interest to do so due to the fact that he’s a married man. For years she’s played number two to his wife but as the years creep by she descends further and further down the list of his multiple women. Finally just as she’s becoming tired of being just another one of his prizes a man that she feels truly loves her enters her life.
She’s stuck at the crossroads not knowing whether to continue her and Maurice’s complicated love affair or to cut off their intimate ties and only retain their business affairs. The only problem with that is as much as Maurice has emphasized never mixing business with pleasure when it comes to her he has a problem practicing what he preaches.
What’s a girl to do? She finds herself trapped in between unconditional love and the love of money. To make a decision in the name of love could not only affect her luxurious lifestyle, it could also jeopardize her life and the life of her true love.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 31, 2009
From Hell and Back
Al Saadiq Banks has done it again. A true legend with these novels. While this book started as a slow read compared to what I am use to from Mr. Banks, he brought it back home and HARD giving new meaning to the saying ‘come hard or stay at home’. I knew as soon as I started reading “Strapped” this was a different read. I struggled through the beginning and middle part of the book and knew that something was going to pop of the pages soon so I kept reading and I am glad that I did.
Amber Jones BKA Lil Bit had a rough life. In her first fourteen years of life it’s not unreasonable to say that no one her age or triple her age for that matter has had a less fortunate life then her. Lil bit has had some of the most unthinkable acts committed against her and has witnessed some of the most hideous crimes committed. We learn all about her past and what has shaped her to be the woman she is today.
Her knight in shining armor is Maurice, the head of the federation. Lil Bit’s loyalty to Maurice never wavers - that is until she falls for Samad a low-level drug dealer with hopes and dreams. However, Samad is not on her level as her friends point out to her every chance they get. In this case, love is blind. Lil Bit has the means to make him a made man and sticks by her man though thick and thin. The mayhem begins when Lil Bit decides to put her all into Samad thus leaving Maurice out of the equation. Maurice is not used to the word “No” so when Lil Bit begins to use it on him all hell breaks loose. This is when the book had my full attention. With so much going on Al Saadiq Banks ties the story together well and then the body count goes up and he brings it back to the streets that I love.
I am glad I stuck with the story as this book shows that an author can go outside their realm and still hold it down. You did a great job Mr. Banks. I applaud you for doing a different kind of story and still staying true to Street Lit.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc
5 star rating
Al Saadiq Banks has done it again. A true legend with these novels. While this book started as a slow read compared to what I am use to from Mr. Banks, he brought it back home and HARD giving new meaning to the saying ‘come hard or stay at home’. I knew as soon as I started reading “Strapped” this was a different read. I struggled through the beginning and middle part of the book and knew that something was going to pop of the pages soon so I kept reading and I am glad that I did.
Amber Jones BKA Lil Bit had a rough life. In her first fourteen years of life it’s not unreasonable to say that no one her age or triple her age for that matter has had a less fortunate life then her. Lil bit has had some of the most unthinkable acts committed against her and has witnessed some of the most hideous crimes committed. We learn all about her past and what has shaped her to be the woman she is today.
Her knight in shining armor is Maurice, the head of the federation. Lil Bit’s loyalty to Maurice never wavers - that is until she falls for Samad a low-level drug dealer with hopes and dreams. However, Samad is not on her level as her friends point out to her every chance they get. In this case, love is blind. Lil Bit has the means to make him a made man and sticks by her man though thick and thin. The mayhem begins when Lil Bit decides to put her all into Samad thus leaving Maurice out of the equation. Maurice is not used to the word “No” so when Lil Bit begins to use it on him all hell breaks loose. This is when the book had my full attention. With so much going on Al Saadiq Banks ties the story together well and then the body count goes up and he brings it back to the streets that I love.
I am glad I stuck with the story as this book shows that an author can go outside their realm and still hold it down. You did a great job Mr. Banks. I applaud you for doing a different kind of story and still staying true to Street Lit.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc
5 star rating
April 7, 2009
You Already Know...
`All I need is a lil bit, a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that.' Stuck on repeat and on full blast, 50 may not be the only man beat for this lyric.
Lil Bit aka Amber Jones has it bad. Not only does she have Maurice, the king of Newark, loving and caring for her, but pretty boy Samad is vying to be her number one.
With Maurice there is history. When she was out of order, he opened his world up inviting her right in providing her with a quality of life most only dream of. Married, with many mistresses to compete for his time, Maurice could never totally be hers.
Samad may be devoid the cash, class and contacts, however he's single. Without a doubt, he's unquestionably beneath her standards and can't offer her anything that she's used to. Luckily, she holds the keys to propel him to a different caliber.
Emotions get in the way of business and a war emits leaving the residents of Newark ducking and running for cover.
STRAPPED is an exceptional urban thriller that sanctions readers to travel the streets of Newark unscathed. Thick with the grime and grit, Al-Saadiq Banks delivers three- dimensional, viable characters and attention-grabbing plots that knock you out! After patiently awaiting the arrival of STRAPPED, I was overjoyed when Al-Saadiq didn't shy away from a chance to deal with a serious subject matter.
Indisputably, STRAPPED is one for the collection!
Straight like that!
OOSA Book of the Month
`All I need is a lil bit, a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that.' Stuck on repeat and on full blast, 50 may not be the only man beat for this lyric.
Lil Bit aka Amber Jones has it bad. Not only does she have Maurice, the king of Newark, loving and caring for her, but pretty boy Samad is vying to be her number one.
With Maurice there is history. When she was out of order, he opened his world up inviting her right in providing her with a quality of life most only dream of. Married, with many mistresses to compete for his time, Maurice could never totally be hers.
Samad may be devoid the cash, class and contacts, however he's single. Without a doubt, he's unquestionably beneath her standards and can't offer her anything that she's used to. Luckily, she holds the keys to propel him to a different caliber.
Emotions get in the way of business and a war emits leaving the residents of Newark ducking and running for cover.
STRAPPED is an exceptional urban thriller that sanctions readers to travel the streets of Newark unscathed. Thick with the grime and grit, Al-Saadiq Banks delivers three- dimensional, viable characters and attention-grabbing plots that knock you out! After patiently awaiting the arrival of STRAPPED, I was overjoyed when Al-Saadiq didn't shy away from a chance to deal with a serious subject matter.
Indisputably, STRAPPED is one for the collection!
Straight like that!
OOSA Book of the Month
January 31, 2013
After reading 'Strapped' Al Saadiq Banks had to make it to my top ten favorite authors.
When I finished the book my first thought was to jump on the computer to leave an amazing review, but as I started I just knew it wouldn't be possible without giving away too many spoilers.
I will however say that there are some characters in this book that you will either love or hate, nothing is was it seems, and you would never in a million years be able to predict the end. When I first tweeted I was reading this book, people were telling me that i'm late and it was a old book which didn't discourage me because I had just been introduced to Al Saadiq Bank's books. For me, that old school feeling I got when reading the book was just what I was looking for. Strapped is one of those urban stories that you'll read but never forget. I can't lie, it got emotional at times and there was a lot gasping on my end.
As I leave this review i'm on the hunt for my next Al Saadiq Banks novel.
When I finished the book my first thought was to jump on the computer to leave an amazing review, but as I started I just knew it wouldn't be possible without giving away too many spoilers.
I will however say that there are some characters in this book that you will either love or hate, nothing is was it seems, and you would never in a million years be able to predict the end. When I first tweeted I was reading this book, people were telling me that i'm late and it was a old book which didn't discourage me because I had just been introduced to Al Saadiq Bank's books. For me, that old school feeling I got when reading the book was just what I was looking for. Strapped is one of those urban stories that you'll read but never forget. I can't lie, it got emotional at times and there was a lot gasping on my end.
As I leave this review i'm on the hunt for my next Al Saadiq Banks novel.
April 29, 2009
I Live This...
I wanted to write a spectacular review, but each time I thought of something, I worried that I'd trip up and mention something that readers should be able to experience for themselves. So after careful consideration, I'm simply going to say this...STRAPPED is a fiery novel that spits knowledge and drama. I was entranced by the particulars, enjoyed the stimulating characters and invaluable lessons. Job well done.
Reviewed by: Taye
I wanted to write a spectacular review, but each time I thought of something, I worried that I'd trip up and mention something that readers should be able to experience for themselves. So after careful consideration, I'm simply going to say this...STRAPPED is a fiery novel that spits knowledge and drama. I was entranced by the particulars, enjoyed the stimulating characters and invaluable lessons. Job well done.
Reviewed by: Taye
April 8, 2009
One of the best Urban books I've ever read!!!!
July 5, 2012
Are you STRAPPED?!?!
Al-Saadiq Banks has crafted another classic! He knows how to deliver a fascinating, action-packed, gritty tale.
As the story begins, we meet Amber Jones, aka Lil’ Bit, a young girl struggling. Lil’ Bit is the epitome of a hard knock life. As she gets older, her luck changes for the better. Or does it?
Banks leaves most other authors of the genre looking shallow with his well thought out, layered plots, talent for dialogue and unforgettable, signature characters. It’s a constant in his work. No detail is too small. Everything is wonderfully plotted. The pace is well executed. Even a few familiar faces pop up.
STRAPPED, his seventh novel, easily fulfills the expectations created by his earlier work.
Somebody, please, give this man the literary equivalent to an Oscar!! I don’t like all the titles and whatnot. King of this, prince of that…but real talk, Al-Saadiq Banks is that dude!
Al-Saadiq Banks has crafted another classic! He knows how to deliver a fascinating, action-packed, gritty tale.
As the story begins, we meet Amber Jones, aka Lil’ Bit, a young girl struggling. Lil’ Bit is the epitome of a hard knock life. As she gets older, her luck changes for the better. Or does it?
Banks leaves most other authors of the genre looking shallow with his well thought out, layered plots, talent for dialogue and unforgettable, signature characters. It’s a constant in his work. No detail is too small. Everything is wonderfully plotted. The pace is well executed. Even a few familiar faces pop up.
STRAPPED, his seventh novel, easily fulfills the expectations created by his earlier work.
Somebody, please, give this man the literary equivalent to an Oscar!! I don’t like all the titles and whatnot. King of this, prince of that…but real talk, Al-Saadiq Banks is that dude!
May 5, 2009
I Live This...
I wanted to write a spectacular review, but each time I thought of something, I worried that I'd trip up and mention something that readers should be able to experience for themselves. So after careful consideration, I'm simply going to say this...STRAPPED is a fiery novel that spits knowledge and drama. I was entranced by the particulars, enjoyed the stimulating characters and invaluable lessons. Job well done.
Reviewed by: Taye
I wanted to write a spectacular review, but each time I thought of something, I worried that I'd trip up and mention something that readers should be able to experience for themselves. So after careful consideration, I'm simply going to say this...STRAPPED is a fiery novel that spits knowledge and drama. I was entranced by the particulars, enjoyed the stimulating characters and invaluable lessons. Job well done.
Reviewed by: Taye
Currently reading
September 12, 2010This book is good so far. I dont want to finish reading it because it seem so real. I know all the areas thats mention it makes it very interesting. GREAT BOOK! The next book I have waiting to read is Sincerely Yours.
June 13, 2009
Is one of his best.
Want to read
April 8, 2009sounds interesting so I will put this on my list
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews