What do you think?
Rate this book
Excellence
We all deal with adversity. Todd, Lee, and Ebony get more than their fair share. Very early in life, while still vulnerable, defenseless, and impressionable children—they were made subject to abuse. From that beginning, they were molded not to reach their dreams but to collapse and become three more of the sad statistics that represent the normal downfall in many urban neighborhoods. These living environments are called the ghettos, slums, and projects of their cities. Housing many black youth. Yet, not completely broken by their environment, they each pursue excellence, choosing their own path. Some choose wrong. One becomes a drug dealer, one becomes a social worker, and one a doctor. Key choices they have to make means being free or failing. They each have a critical decision to make to be truly happy. How do you rise from the gutter when it is all you know? Is triumph only for the fortunate? Can you conquer when life seems like it wants to devour you? Todd, Lee and Ebony stare at the sun's fire, drinking in its light…wanting more. Will they get it? There is an ad inside Excellence for another book. It's also free. I will send it to you in your inbox via your email address once you enter your e-mail add into the field provided. I like sharing my work with you and offering it at no cost because it enables me to connect with all you who are giving my work a try. Joining this Reader's Group will get you more books by me and other cool giveaways, and, of course, there is no obligation to buy anything. The other book is about a husband-wife cop team, Marcus & Alicia, that hits the rocks while trying to solve a big murder case. Alicia is tempted by the love and strength of another man...the other, Marcus, is heading into the abyss of a meaningless life by letting past abuse shape his future. They struggle with many of the emotions and disappointments we do. Will they overcome?
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2015
106 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 7, 2020
Slow pace but a good read
This book was slow but steady with the story line. Honestly I wasn't mad that it was slow because the story was pretty good without any writing errors. But if you are looking for a thugged out book with drugs, sex, and violence this book may not be for you. If you are looking for character development, steady story line, and want to read something different then this book is for you. I would read this again and I don't really read books more than once.
This book was slow but steady with the story line. Honestly I wasn't mad that it was slow because the story was pretty good without any writing errors. But if you are looking for a thugged out book with drugs, sex, and violence this book may not be for you. If you are looking for character development, steady story line, and want to read something different then this book is for you. I would read this again and I don't really read books more than once.
February 5, 2018
Family and life
A family with a rough start followed over several years as the siblings grow. Teaching that all parts of life matter, what you see isn't always what you get and value what you have at home. Good read moved smooth enough through the years you didn't get lost or bogged down in too much story but picked up nicely as the lives advanced. My huge take a way is look closely at what is right in front of you as you try and change the world.
A family with a rough start followed over several years as the siblings grow. Teaching that all parts of life matter, what you see isn't always what you get and value what you have at home. Good read moved smooth enough through the years you didn't get lost or bogged down in too much story but picked up nicely as the lives advanced. My huge take a way is look closely at what is right in front of you as you try and change the world.
July 5, 2019
There's nothing to hard for God, if you would just trust Him
I chose this rating because the book inspires you to trust that you can overcome obstacles pain and suffering. We all have a past but don't let it consume you to where the outcome is death. Also it took me back to place in my life when one of my family members died with a overdose and the pain still make my heart weep.
I chose this rating because the book inspires you to trust that you can overcome obstacles pain and suffering. We all have a past but don't let it consume you to where the outcome is death. Also it took me back to place in my life when one of my family members died with a overdose and the pain still make my heart weep.
September 3, 2018
Good but flawed
This was a good story which could have been so much better had it been properly edited. Great story line and plot,but the book is not properly edited.
This was a good story which could have been so much better had it been properly edited. Great story line and plot,but the book is not properly edited.
December 29, 2015
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Excellence is the story of siblings Todd, Lee, and Ebony, who grew up in an abusive household and as they reach adulthood they strive for excellence and making something of their lives. The siblings go down different paths in life. Todd became a drug dealer and ends up in prison, while his sister Lee became a social worker who strives to help others like her, her work priorities tend to come first in Lee's life which makes her son Nicholas feel neglected. As for Ebony, she's a child genius who enters college at an early age and quickly becomes an respected doctor.
The premise of the story is great, I loved reading about the siblings journey through life and how their experiences molded them to become the way they are. As you read about their plights, you feels sadness for what they go through and how deeply they were affected by their childhood.
While the story was wonderful, I did think it was short. There were some parts that I felt could've used more details. For instance, I felt like the author could've delved more into their childhood. The first chapter gives detail about what life was like growing up and throughout the story they mention how bad their father was and how they never want to see them again., yet I felt like there was more that needed to be explored. Also, the ending even though it was supposed to be a tearjerker, I felt like it was stiff. The characters' emotions didn't emanate off the pages and I felt like their stories wrapped up too quickly.
Excellence is the story of siblings Todd, Lee, and Ebony, who grew up in an abusive household and as they reach adulthood they strive for excellence and making something of their lives. The siblings go down different paths in life. Todd became a drug dealer and ends up in prison, while his sister Lee became a social worker who strives to help others like her, her work priorities tend to come first in Lee's life which makes her son Nicholas feel neglected. As for Ebony, she's a child genius who enters college at an early age and quickly becomes an respected doctor.
The premise of the story is great, I loved reading about the siblings journey through life and how their experiences molded them to become the way they are. As you read about their plights, you feels sadness for what they go through and how deeply they were affected by their childhood.
While the story was wonderful, I did think it was short. There were some parts that I felt could've used more details. For instance, I felt like the author could've delved more into their childhood. The first chapter gives detail about what life was like growing up and throughout the story they mention how bad their father was and how they never want to see them again., yet I felt like there was more that needed to be explored. Also, the ending even though it was supposed to be a tearjerker, I felt like it was stiff. The characters' emotions didn't emanate off the pages and I felt like their stories wrapped up too quickly.
September 30, 2015
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
I really enjoyed this book, and glad I was given an opportunity to review it.
We meet Todd, Lee, and Ebony - to say they have had a pretty shitty upbringing is an understatement as they suffered from abuse from their father and their school mates. They grew up in the rough area like the ghetto and were basically left to become a statistic for that type of upbringing.
As they got older they all went down different paths - Todd became a drug dealer, Lee a social worker who helps kids in a similar situation to hers and Ebony was the child genius of the family and became a Doctor.
The story covers a lot from bullying and abuse and the situations they all go through can easily reflect real life. It is very well written and I read it on a day, I was just engrossed in their lives.
Brilliant read to a new to me auhtor and I look forward to reading Raj future works.
I really enjoyed this book, and glad I was given an opportunity to review it.
We meet Todd, Lee, and Ebony - to say they have had a pretty shitty upbringing is an understatement as they suffered from abuse from their father and their school mates. They grew up in the rough area like the ghetto and were basically left to become a statistic for that type of upbringing.
As they got older they all went down different paths - Todd became a drug dealer, Lee a social worker who helps kids in a similar situation to hers and Ebony was the child genius of the family and became a Doctor.
The story covers a lot from bullying and abuse and the situations they all go through can easily reflect real life. It is very well written and I read it on a day, I was just engrossed in their lives.
Brilliant read to a new to me auhtor and I look forward to reading Raj future works.
October 19, 2015
Excellence
First read by this author. I'm still in tears n awe from the story. So many people go through horrible childhoods. This is a story of 3 siblings who believe in overcoming that childhood. They succeed but at what price. Please read this book. The message is clear!! Well done Raj Davis
First read by this author. I'm still in tears n awe from the story. So many people go through horrible childhoods. This is a story of 3 siblings who believe in overcoming that childhood. They succeed but at what price. Please read this book. The message is clear!! Well done Raj Davis
April 6, 2016
Very well written about the perspectives of three siblings and the courses each one takes. Excellence is what each member strives to achieve. The book sheds light on the past trauma the siblings encountered.
June 23, 2016
Ok read
Promising beginning, but this story lacked the build up of emotion that should carry you through the story. The language was weird for the ages of the characters. I would read another novel from this author.
Promising beginning, but this story lacked the build up of emotion that should carry you through the story. The language was weird for the ages of the characters. I would read another novel from this author.
August 20, 2015
Touching story
This is a good read interesting story great characters easy to follow story. Easy storyline and inspirational to just follow your dreams to get to go it r future.
This is a good read interesting story great characters easy to follow story. Easy storyline and inspirational to just follow your dreams to get to go it r future.
February 8, 2016
Not bad
This was an ok read. It held my attention. Wasn't a page Turner but not all books can be .
This was an ok read. It held my attention. Wasn't a page Turner but not all books can be .
June 30, 2016
Very good read I couldn't put it down
Very good read I couldn't put it down. It has a very powerful message. I think everyone should read this book.
Very good read I couldn't put it down. It has a very powerful message. I think everyone should read this book.
December 29, 2016
Ok
I get it, the plot is touching but this book definitely could've been better. I would not recommend this book.
I get it, the plot is touching but this book definitely could've been better. I would not recommend this book.
October 14, 2018
I love how the author inserted the book, Excellence, by Wilford Brandt into the book, Excellence, by Raj Davis. I very much enjoyed reading this book. Two really great scenes I like in particular: when Ebony realizes Calvin’s been taking advantage of her (my heart drops with her) and the scene where Todd is released from jail and Alyssa jumps into his arms. Very nicely done. And there’s Daniella’s good advice: “Love is the key—real unselfish love” combined with the finale: “To be excellent is to reflect God’s glory, by loving everyone to the end, and spreading that love to every individual.” That theme is very much embedded in the Irish rock group U2’s latest album (Songs of Experience), which I can’t get enough of these days. Oh, I also thought his handling of these sections was well done: about the father…”He is saying anything right now, he realizes, to smooth over the disinterest he has.”….and about Calvin…”He sits back down after rolling his eyes when she couldn’t see him.”
Hopefully readers will gain wisdom, after traversing from Todd’s declaration at the beginning of the book, “I tried to write something happy, but I just couldn’t, you know” to this quote near the end, “Just because life isn’t fair, doesn’t mean to give up on it and become an enemy of life. What would it be like if everyone were like that? What would the world be like then?” Many more comments I could make, but all in all I would say thank you to Mr. Davis for writing this because, by connecting with readers, he is saving lives, just like Lee in the story. Young people should read this, as it lays out so many of the issues that will affect them as they struggle to figure out what it means to be excellent.
Hopefully readers will gain wisdom, after traversing from Todd’s declaration at the beginning of the book, “I tried to write something happy, but I just couldn’t, you know” to this quote near the end, “Just because life isn’t fair, doesn’t mean to give up on it and become an enemy of life. What would it be like if everyone were like that? What would the world be like then?” Many more comments I could make, but all in all I would say thank you to Mr. Davis for writing this because, by connecting with readers, he is saving lives, just like Lee in the story. Young people should read this, as it lays out so many of the issues that will affect them as they struggle to figure out what it means to be excellent.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews