Apt B17: Camille

The Bricks #1

by Sabrina B. Scales

Behind these bricks, life comes at you fast. And whether you're here by choice or circumstance, there are lessons to be learned as well as taught. Nobody knows The Bricks better than the women who live between them. These are their stories of lessons, blessings, love, and loss, brought to you brick by brick. Ladies, and fellas too, you ever invested time in somebody that you knew was no good for you, holding on and waiting for them to change because you thought that you were special? Well I have, and I’m here to tell you that there’s a one percent chance of that change ever taking place, a two percent chance of them becoming a better person than they were before you found them, and a staggering ninety-seven percent chance of someone more deserving coming along if you’ll open your eyes, stop being stupid, and sit down with a common-sense calculator to tally up your worth. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to waste a little time, because contrary to popular belief, there can be a happy ending on the other side of stupidity. And to prove it, I’m gonna take you for a walk through my own experience. I’m Camille, by the way, a resident here at The Rose Palms, aka The Bricks, apartment B17. Glad you stopped by.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2017

About the author

Sabrina B. Scales is a national best-selling author of vibrant and passionate romance whose unique style of writing highlights real stories about real people falling in real love, and can be attributed to her humble upbringing in a small town in Southeast Texas, where happy endings were usually the result of hard work.

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. The whole time I was reading it, I was getting The Women of Brewster Place vibes. You have a group of women living in an apartment building that's in the hood and each one of them has a story to tell. In Apt. B17, we're introduced to Camille. Some of the women don't too much care for Camille because, they think she's stuck up and standoffish but, she's actually neither. Camille just minds the business that pays her and takes care of her daughter. She's been in a 12 year relationship with a married man but, had no idea he was married. Khembrell literally only spent the weekends with Camille and their daughter so, I'm honestly trying to understand how the hell she didn't know this man was married?!!! No female can be that clueless and stupid. After everyone she knew told her how foolish she was being behind this man, it took a conversation with her 12 year old daughter for the blinders to fall off and for Camille to find her common sense and finally leave Khembrell. She decides to go to cosmetology school where she meets Stokely. Oh, how I loved me some Stokely. Stokely was the epitome of BDE and he was funny too. He was just what Camille needed. Stokely came through and showed Camille how a real man will treat and treasure his lady. It was funny watching her constantly question their relationship because, she wasn't use to a man being present and spending time with her. This story is eye opening to how. sometimes, women love too hard and don't always make the best decisions when it comes to the men we choose to give our hearts to. We often find ourselves settling for a piece of a man because it's better than having no man at all. And, that's what happened with Camille and her relationship with Khembrell. But, luckily, she found her self worth and how to be confident in it. Apt. B17 was an excellent read. The character development was beautifully done and the storyline was relatable and entertaining. This series is worth adding to your TBR. Now, let me head on over to Apt. F53 and see what Tasia talkin' about.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this author been all my life?

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end! Love and Loyalty can surely be one sided, but ohhhhhh when a woman finally learns her worth and stands on it! I love this book leads me into book 2. Definitely starting that one as soon as I submit this review.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camille, a resident of The Rose Palms aka The Bricks, is tired of being a once a week girlfriend to Khem, her daughter Khassidy's father. Determined to set a better example for her daughter, Camille goes back to school, gets a job and meets Stokely, a single father with a whole lotta swag, and this is when life as they know it, gets interesting.

Everything seems to be going good for Camille, except the relationship with her mother Bobbi and sister Veda. Once a deep dark secret is revealed, the road to healing begins. I loved this storyline, because it showed that broken families can get past anything with a little love and a whole lot of listening.

This book had me from page 3 and held it until the end…one hour later. My favorite character was Stokely and my least favorite was Khem, because he thought narcissism would keep Camille tied to him forever. This was my introduction to @authorsabrinabscales and I've been glued to her catalog ever since. I wish I could've give it 5💎, bye there were a few errors.

Nevertheless, if you haven't read this book, I highly recommend that you do.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stokely the Stud

I devoured this book. Couldn't put it down and will probably read my favorite parts again in an hour. I can't wait for the next installment. While I wait, I'm going to go light some candles and pray the Lord bless me with a Stokely.

[Deirdre Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bricks

This story was getting real good and it dropped off! Camille was making changes and now I have to wait! I want know what's going on with Khem, Stokely, and Tasia!!! I need more bricks!!!

[Rita Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I love this stuff.

Well it life we live in. Sad to say. But us ladies need to do be strong and respect our self more. Cuz we are very good and love and caring women. And if have a daughter we need break the chain don't let your daughter be hurt like we or have been. Hey I have 3 daughters. 2 are very happily married. And my other is 15 going 25. But she the hard head one. But life is hard now but only wish we could live in a world we can have a little peace. I just saying. But anyway love this book. I ready for another one your books.

[Tera L. Kirksey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apt B17:Camille

I loved Apt B17- a very realistic story about life in the bricks. The ups and down of Camille and Khembrell's relationship was enough for her to want more for their daughter Khassidy by providing a more stable environment. She decides to go to cosmetology school. Then she meets Stokely😘😘. Man I'm Team Stokely but I hope he's not coming with any baggage.
I can't wait for the rest of the story to be told.

[Lialeh Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I have found me a new author! I absolutely loved this book! I loved Camille and I'm so glad she woke up and realized she deserved more for herself. I loved Stokely as well, he treated Camille how she should be treated. I'm so glad they found each other.



treated.

[Teresa Mcmillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When A Woman’s Fed Up!

Camille has been taking mess from Khem for too many years and she finally gets tired of it! I enjoyed her journey to finding herself.
On a another note, Sabrina you are wrong for that ending! I am so glad I don’t have to wait for the next book.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nice addition to the Scales Books collection.., Nice.

[Mia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This was a very good quick read. I enjoyed it. I just didn't like the abrupt ending. I was so glad she wised up. I like her and Stokley together. Ready for part two.

[thea watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Bricks

Loved it. Need more. Got me open and i wanna see how everything plays out. Books like this always makes me wish for more. Great Job

[Alvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growth

Well, I wasn't expecting all that. Camille was a very confused and naive woman whom decides that a piece of man is better than no man at all. And to make it worse, she has a 12 yo daughter, Khassidy, with said man, whom sees all the things her dad, Khembrell, does and doesn't do for her mom. For 13 years she let him keep her in the background while he slept with numerous women, all the while he was married (unbeknownst to Camille). I'm glad she decided to put her foot down and understand her worth and keep things strictly to co-parenting their child. It was so arrogant of Khembrell to try to see who she was dating or try to worm his way back into Camille's life AFTER she officially dumps him, yet Camille was over it.

I like Mr. Stokely Gibson. I like that he was a stand up comedian and a stand up dude; solid in my opinion. He worked at his relationship with Camille and was honest about his son and baby mama situation. He was funny and sexy, a deadly combo if ya ask me😏. He was willing to be with Camille with all her "baggage" and that prank her daughter and he pulled was really funny. I hope Camille and his relationship blooms more and more.

The relationship Camille and her sister Veda had with their mom wasn't too foreign to many Black single parent, or Black homes in general. Many of us don't deal with the trauma of our lives and go, many times, on a destructive path in life from not healing those old wounds. I didn't necessarily like how they had the conversation, yet I'm glad they did. I hope we see healing for these 3 women as this series progresses.

This was a great start to 'The Bricks'. Can't wait for more. Great read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the synopsis for this series, the first thing that came to mind was “women of Brewster place” (I’m probably telling my age...lol). As I continued thru each story, the storylines did feel like a new age version of “women of Brewster place” with the issues each female addressed with regards to relationships hurdles and how they dealt. I overall enjoyed and was easily jumping into each new story with curiosity of what will happen next.

My two main critiques for all the stories were the grammar and no clear communication regarding the time line of the stories. The stories are really intriguing but the numerous grammatical errors pulled me away from the story from time to time. A proper editor could make future stories easy 5 stars.
wIth regard to the time line, sometimes I couldn’t tell how much time had passed.

Additionally, the number of kids for Tasia changed from book 1 to book 2. This is very minor, but noticeable.

[L. Boogie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t like Annette’s “ a man gonna be a man. As long as he’s making sure you and that baby are taken care of, that other shit can come or go.” advice to Camille.

Oh ok. Maybe I miss understood miss Annette bc now she’s kicking facts ““You might not know it but it’s true. And the sooner you realize that having a piece of man is the same as being by your damn self, the better off you’ll be.”

I really like Khas. She’s very mature for her age but not in a you’re too grown lil girl type of way.


“what kinda stupid mother fucker would allow himself to fall in love with a girl from The Bricks?” If that’s something to be ashamed about, then the bigger question is what kind of stupid mofo would let his daughter grow up in the Bricks?

Wow just wow. Khem dropped a big ass bomb.

I like stokley. He and me and cam both smiling.

Stokley was just what Camille needed. Glad she finally respected herself enough to choose this path instead of falling into old habits

[Mrs Tee Booktique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past tired!!!!!!!

Interesting...I enjoyed Camille's story. She is a great example.of.not knowing what to accept from a man and/or relationship. She is an example.of getting tired of settling. She is proof that change wil come and once you realize that enough was too much and to do better she did. Our kids should make us strive to be better examples for them to.follow and I'm glad that Kassidy was her inspiration and she was rewarded with Stokley!!!! He was a dream come true!

[Dorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book from Sabrina ELB Scales at the Sisah Girls Book Club. This was the 1st time I heard of Ms. Scales & the 1st book I read by her. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ the hot & steamy scenes. I loved ❤ Camille's character. I was proud & happy 😊 for Camille. I loved ❤ Stokely's character. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Scales it was a pleasure meeting you, thanks for the autographed copy & I can't wait to read the second book.

[Sherry Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

good! I had to make myself not start book two! It felt like Sabrina Bivens-Scales was writing about people that I really could have known. I laughed, cried and hollered. I was cheering Camille on from the very beginning. Khem had me heated! I absolutely loved Stokely from the very first moment he was introduced. Who doesn't love a man that can make you laugh? Loved, loved, loved it!

[Nicole Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chain chain chain...

I was nervous for Camille. I was scared she was gonna mess up. I'm so glad she made the right decision. That was messy and a lot. I think about her mother and sister and that relationship. A lot. I like that Sabrina didn't try to fix it to make it all pretty. Sometimes life just don't work like that.

[Leslie McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Good........

This was a good read. Nothing special or unique about the story, but it was well told. Besides a few typos, it was written well and held my interest. I’m sure a lot of us can relate to Camille and her dilemma. And we all can use some Stokely in our lives! I finished this one quickly and I’m ready for the next one!

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story and Stokley was the icing on the cake! There were a couple of typos that kinda threw me off, but a quick re-read got me back on track. I’m glad Camille finally decided to grow up. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[she_ill_22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good story, although not long in length. I enjoyed reading about Camille learning her worth and how to be confident in it. She gave up on an old way of thinking and opened herself up to discovering a new perspective and love.

[Kesha Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

Sabrina Sabrina Sabrina great job. Camille story was great and Stokely is everything. This book hit on very sensitive topics and will have you not wanting to put the book down. Great Job can’t wait to start book 2.

[Mabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read

I feel like I have found a secret stash of fun with this author, once I heard about her books in a book club, I have been reading them nonstop. These are cant miss books to give a try.

[Tina Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story

Let me one click my way to Tasis's story in part 2 of The Bricks. I have been sleeping on Sabrina B Scales purchased several books but haven't read them. I am woke now and will be stalking her catalog to catch up.I am a fan of Camille and Stokely. #newfan

[Deedee Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bricks

I really enjoyed reading this story. The characters were developed, relatable and entertaining. Camille found herself in the shoes of many women today but knowing when to let go was the best thing she could have done. A few small errors but a good read.

[Felicia Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Camille went though a lot . Kem was need a beat down why would you be out there so much and with everyone Community property then don’t want to take ownership of what he was doing wrong, but Camille did get the love of the correct may . Great read

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Interesting and imaginable. This story paints a vivid picture of life reminiscent of a Brewster Place, perhaps... The explosive ending will leave you anxious to read the next book of the series for sure.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Full review to come.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good start for this series (The Bricks) I'm hoping for more neighbors.