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Kiss the Ring: An Urban Tale
From one of the most daring voices in urban fiction comes a sexy new novel about a modern-day Foxy Brown who goes undercover in a dangerous quest for revenge.
Naeema "Queen" Cole takes care of herself. From the death of her parents when she was just eleven years old to when she found herself pregnant and alone at sixteen, Naeema has had to make her own way in the world. She gave up her son for adoption and became an apprentice at a barber shop, making just enough money to pay the bills and get high. She tried being a wife, but ultimately found that she and Tank, now her ex-husband, are better friends and occasional lovers than partners. Naeema prefers to be on her own; no responsibilities, no rules.
But the sudden and brutal murder of Brandon, the son she never knew, forces Naeema to reconsider the way she has lived her life. Brandon was involved with a notorious band of Newark bank robbers, and Naeema is convinced his gang life was her fault. Desperate to avenge her son's death and determined to take justice into her own hands, Naeema becomes "Queen" as she infiltrates the gang to discover her boy's killer. But when she starts to fall for the leader of the crew, will she still have the resolve to do what must be done?
Filled with gritty realism and unexpected plot twists, this page-turner will keep you guessing as Naeema struggles to do whatever it takes to right her wrongs.
Naeema "Queen" Cole takes care of herself. From the death of her parents when she was just eleven years old to when she found herself pregnant and alone at sixteen, Naeema has had to make her own way in the world. She gave up her son for adoption and became an apprentice at a barber shop, making just enough money to pay the bills and get high. She tried being a wife, but ultimately found that she and Tank, now her ex-husband, are better friends and occasional lovers than partners. Naeema prefers to be on her own; no responsibilities, no rules.
But the sudden and brutal murder of Brandon, the son she never knew, forces Naeema to reconsider the way she has lived her life. Brandon was involved with a notorious band of Newark bank robbers, and Naeema is convinced his gang life was her fault. Desperate to avenge her son's death and determined to take justice into her own hands, Naeema becomes "Queen" as she infiltrates the gang to discover her boy's killer. But when she starts to fall for the leader of the crew, will she still have the resolve to do what must be done?
Filled with gritty realism and unexpected plot twists, this page-turner will keep you guessing as Naeema struggles to do whatever it takes to right her wrongs.
Audiobook
First published August 5, 2014
17 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Meesha Mink
15 books215 followersMeesha Mink is the popular pseudonym of Niobia Bryant, the award winning and national bestselling author of more than forty works of romance and commercial mainstream fiction. Twice she has won RT Magazine's Best African-American/Multicultural Romance Award, "Kiss the Ring"--written as Meesha Mink--was listed as one of the Library Journal's Best Books, and her books have appeared in Ebony, Essence, The New York Post, The Star Ledger, The Dallas Morning News and many other national publications. One of her bestselling book has been adapted to film and broadcast on Centric/BETHer.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 22, 2014
A Dose of Reality
The product of an unknown father and a mother killed by a drunk driver, Naeema Cole had the good fortune of a nurturing grandfather instead of being in foster care. However, Naeema's rebellious attitude found her pregnant as a teenager. As a result, she gave her baby away. Naeema continued a downhill spiral of promiscuity, partying, and drugs well into adulthood. The murder of Naeema's teenage son brought her to a crossroads within herself. The guilt of not being a part of his life was unbearable. Seeking revenge, Naeema aka Queen infiltrated the gang that embraced her son, setting tandem actions in motion.
Through Queen's eyes, the reader gets a taste of the highs and lows of being in a gang. Also addressed are socioeconomic factors, glorified lifestyles, crime for gang benefit, deceit and misguided trust or the lack thereof. Betrayal and murder complete this tale with realistic references to what we as readers encounter in our daily lives, whether through family, friends, social media or experience. “Kiss the Ring” was great read and it’s definitely a page turner.
Reviewed by: KaTina
The product of an unknown father and a mother killed by a drunk driver, Naeema Cole had the good fortune of a nurturing grandfather instead of being in foster care. However, Naeema's rebellious attitude found her pregnant as a teenager. As a result, she gave her baby away. Naeema continued a downhill spiral of promiscuity, partying, and drugs well into adulthood. The murder of Naeema's teenage son brought her to a crossroads within herself. The guilt of not being a part of his life was unbearable. Seeking revenge, Naeema aka Queen infiltrated the gang that embraced her son, setting tandem actions in motion.
Through Queen's eyes, the reader gets a taste of the highs and lows of being in a gang. Also addressed are socioeconomic factors, glorified lifestyles, crime for gang benefit, deceit and misguided trust or the lack thereof. Betrayal and murder complete this tale with realistic references to what we as readers encounter in our daily lives, whether through family, friends, social media or experience. “Kiss the Ring” was great read and it’s definitely a page turner.
Reviewed by: KaTina
July 14, 2017
3.5 rating. Ending too quick for all the build up. The ending with Sarge wasn't at all what I thought would go down. The "wrap up" was too clean.
October 8, 2014
TANK!!!!!!!!!
October 9, 2020
This was a good read. Naeema aka Queen had a son whom she gave to a friend to raise. When she finds out he was murdered by possibly someone in the gang he ran with, she goes undercover to seek revenge. This story keeps you reading to find out who did it and their punishment.
October 23, 2024
Wow! A urban mystery of who done it! Loved listening to every minute of it! Neema "Queen" wasn't playing around!
June 5, 2017
Riddled with guilt and driven to find answers, Naeema's sheer determination moves her between two worlds. Every lead reveals more through death than she every fathomed. Shame burdens her heart and keeps up the wall around her feelings.
The more I read, the more I was pulled into Naeema's head. I understood far more about how she felt than most would imagine. The shoulda, woulda, coulda of the past will haunt you and hold you hostage, if allowed. The urge to rewind the hands of time make you rethink what is already done and second guess your previous actions regardless of your initial intent.
Naeema walked a mile in her own shoes, faced only some of her demons and exhaled.
The more I read, the more I was pulled into Naeema's head. I understood far more about how she felt than most would imagine. The shoulda, woulda, coulda of the past will haunt you and hold you hostage, if allowed. The urge to rewind the hands of time make you rethink what is already done and second guess your previous actions regardless of your initial intent.
Naeema walked a mile in her own shoes, faced only some of her demons and exhaled.
October 2, 2014
A mother's anguish fueled by her thirst to avenge her child's death proves to be original. I enjoyed the read, vibed with the characters even though the some of the scenes caused me to question the authenticity of them. All in all, I love Niobia's writing!!!
August 22, 2014
i loved this book tank was the truth
September 9, 2014
it was ok
January 15, 2015
A good read. I like the characters. This is the second book I need to find out the name of the first.
April 9, 2015
I liked this book, it was pretty good. Naeema/Queen was really good at finding out what happened to her son and I loved hers and tanks relationship
April 9, 2015
Meesha Mink does it again. Great storyline. Naeema is the lead character trying to right her childhood wrongs. The story line is different from Mink's other books which makes it even better.
November 1, 2015
Another great read in this series. Can't wait for the next one.
October 31, 2014
it was a very good book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews