What do you think?
Rate this book
Hood Rich Series #1
Hood Rich: Sex, Status, And a Ballers Confession
When one doesn't understand the daily task of surviving in the ghetto, it's easy to criticize an inner city family for the things they value and their way of living. Hood Rich is a strong, fast paced, yet compassionate story about family, life choices, love, money, and growing up in the judicial system. You will immediately be drawn into this page turning drama, which totally immerses you into the ghetto lifestyle that inspires Prince to choose between loyalty and freedom. Looking at life through the eyes of a streetwise, DeMarques Prince, we are able to see why kingpins in his family were his biggest idols. Prince, an impressionable teenager in Detroit, Michigan takes us on an emotional adventure, recapping why at one time drugs, money, music, sex, and fashion defined his lifestyle. New experiences like love, death, and fatherhood test Prince's loyalty. In the end, he makes an ultimate sacrifice, which eventually teaches him about loving himself while striving to live a purpose driven life.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Crystal Perkins-Stell
10 books8 followersCrystal Perkins-Stell is mother, an educator, and author. She was born April 5 in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She has always been a blissful dreamer who has never accepted defeat. As a child, she vowed to her mom that one day she would do big things in life. A few decades later, here she is making her dreams a reality.
Crystal is a five-time Who’s Who inductee. She completed her undergraduate degree at Langston University with scholastic honors. She obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is a proud member of the Urban League, the Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals, SWASAP, TRiO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., a 2004 honorary inductee of Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority, and an affiliate of several professional literary and educational organizations.
Crystal is a advocate for HIV and AIDS Awareness. In 2003, she was granted a citation by the Governor of Oklahoma for dedicated service. After losing a love one to the virus, she participated in a community project with former NFL Players Kenny Blair and Ron Fellows to educate college students. Crystal, along with two other local lyricists, wrote and performed a song entitled, “The Magic Touch,” which they dedicated to Magic Johnson. She also wrote a campaign jingle for the Oklahoma State Senate Election for the Honorable Vickie Miles-Lagrange who was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the first African American, female, federal judge to serve in the United States.
In 2001, Crystal was inspired to give back to individuals less fortunate. She started working on her novel entitled, “Soiled Pillowcases, A Married Woman’s Story.” In 2002, she organized, Crystell Publications, Marketing and Distributions, Inc., a sole proprietorship, and is now on a mission to touch lives by donating scholarships to first-generation and low-income college students.
Her second Hood Rich is a 2005 Essence Magazine Bestseller. The sequel Big Tymers and her daughter's novel Jazzy Little Five-Year-Old is due out in 2006. All of Crystal's novels are guaranteed to hit home for some and play on the emotions of others. Her third novel, "Never Knew A Father's Love" is christian fiction at it's best and is available today. This fine author currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma and is on a 56 city tour promoting literacy in our communities.
Crystal's motto for all who read her reality based fiction is, "Read, Reflect, and Realize that life has Real Purpose."
Crystal is a five-time Who’s Who inductee. She completed her undergraduate degree at Langston University with scholastic honors. She obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is a proud member of the Urban League, the Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals, SWASAP, TRiO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., a 2004 honorary inductee of Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority, and an affiliate of several professional literary and educational organizations.
Crystal is a advocate for HIV and AIDS Awareness. In 2003, she was granted a citation by the Governor of Oklahoma for dedicated service. After losing a love one to the virus, she participated in a community project with former NFL Players Kenny Blair and Ron Fellows to educate college students. Crystal, along with two other local lyricists, wrote and performed a song entitled, “The Magic Touch,” which they dedicated to Magic Johnson. She also wrote a campaign jingle for the Oklahoma State Senate Election for the Honorable Vickie Miles-Lagrange who was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the first African American, female, federal judge to serve in the United States.
In 2001, Crystal was inspired to give back to individuals less fortunate. She started working on her novel entitled, “Soiled Pillowcases, A Married Woman’s Story.” In 2002, she organized, Crystell Publications, Marketing and Distributions, Inc., a sole proprietorship, and is now on a mission to touch lives by donating scholarships to first-generation and low-income college students.
Her second Hood Rich is a 2005 Essence Magazine Bestseller. The sequel Big Tymers and her daughter's novel Jazzy Little Five-Year-Old is due out in 2006. All of Crystal's novels are guaranteed to hit home for some and play on the emotions of others. Her third novel, "Never Knew A Father's Love" is christian fiction at it's best and is available today. This fine author currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma and is on a 56 city tour promoting literacy in our communities.
Crystal's motto for all who read her reality based fiction is, "Read, Reflect, and Realize that life has Real Purpose."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2014
We'll written and a very good story. Not sure if it's a true story but none the less I enjoyed.
February 20, 2008
Ms. Perkins-Stell is a star on the rise. This great novel traces the life one woman negotiating life in "the hood, and out there on the grind" (I'm a white guy so it had to be in quotes, y'know?)Her family have been working in the underground economy of Black Detroit (what other Detroit is there, right?!) for many years and her friends and some -exes are incarcerated or still in slinging or involved in the drug trade.
Crystal Perkins-Stell is a terrific prose stylist who refuses to romanticize "the hood" and the black underground economy. She understands them as facts of contemporary American life.
As someone who has spent a lot of time in Detroit, the geographical accuracy of this book is uncanny, but she stresses that Detroit is merely one example of folks who are caught up in some kind of trouble from practically the moment they are born.
From my point of view, the author never makes a pathology out of black people and black life in the city. Yeah, sure there are some single mothers with kids, violent male drug dealers, but they are not sensationalized a la the Fox network or COPS.
They are part of the grinding poverty and truncated opportunity of black people who are unfairly described as the "underclass".
The author shows how big business/corporate domination is mirrored in the hard-working folks in the underground economy. She does not celebrate this way of life, she portrays it in a gritty, realist manner.
Let's hope we hear more from Crystal Perkins-Stell!
Crystal Perkins-Stell is a terrific prose stylist who refuses to romanticize "the hood" and the black underground economy. She understands them as facts of contemporary American life.
As someone who has spent a lot of time in Detroit, the geographical accuracy of this book is uncanny, but she stresses that Detroit is merely one example of folks who are caught up in some kind of trouble from practically the moment they are born.
From my point of view, the author never makes a pathology out of black people and black life in the city. Yeah, sure there are some single mothers with kids, violent male drug dealers, but they are not sensationalized a la the Fox network or COPS.
They are part of the grinding poverty and truncated opportunity of black people who are unfairly described as the "underclass".
The author shows how big business/corporate domination is mirrored in the hard-working folks in the underground economy. She does not celebrate this way of life, she portrays it in a gritty, realist manner.
Let's hope we hear more from Crystal Perkins-Stell!
July 26, 2012
this book really shows how living thinking cause your hood rich your the shit nothing bad can happen to you.
January 7, 2009
Learn from your hard knocks and grow
As you open Hood Rich, you'll discover the recap of DeMarques Brandon Prince's life. Coming from the hard knocks in his young life to an atypical refined gem!
In the heart of the city of Detroit, (Motor City) Prince knew what it was to have a loving family. Thankfully, his grandparents GG, and Daddy Runae' had been apart of his life. They showed him what a family filled with love could be while his Mother, Bean was usually MIA due to her own personal life.
Like most boys in the inner city Prince idolized his Uncle Silk, and older brother Ant. Both were major playas in the streets. Prince wanted nothing more than to do grime, crime, and continue the family bloodline by being the next KPM (Kingpin in the making).
While Prince hung close absorbing his daily lessons of "Ballernomics 101", he often found that listening and complying wasn't an easy act for a playa of his status. This would prove to be in the future, an invaluable lesson with exorbitant consequences for the young Prince.
Conflicting as it was Prince was a classic teen. Hittin' the mall, movies, skating, playing video games, and house parties! (DEM 80's!) A natural show stopper, Prince always a fly guy, with his good looks he and his boys J, and Chew were checkin' for the cutest new honeys.
Ant consistently fought with Prince trying to keep his hard head safe while trying desperately to remain "my brother's keeper." Both brothers learn early on that Bean had far too many demons. It helped the brothers formulate a bond that would grind hard against all others! But, would that ultimately change as Prince's freedom is now in jeopardy? LOYALTY was never a question! Not for these two brothers, that could easily be mistaken for father and son.
It would take far too long for Prince to realize what his foolish loyalty would do to his life. He'd miss key moments in his BUTTERFLY life, suffer from a broken heart, fall into major slumps as he looses his support system. BUT, could it also be attributed to saving his life?
Hood Rich is the story of a senseless noble sacrifice made by a boy pretending to be a man. As a result he would grow up in the belly of the beast with daily reminders that would continuously test him.
Crystal Perkins-Stell HANDS DOWN IS THE HOTTEST NEW CHICK IN THE URBAN GENRE! Ya'll I can't even front, because I was sleeping on her raw talent as well! This "Baller's confession" will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you back pedal through the hood with Prince as he tells us "his"tory! Are you looking for drama, and suspense so deep that you'll literally be swept into the actual hood? CRYSTAL, has put in serious work! I promise, HOOD RICH makes Real Readers Reflect, and Realize that all Urban Lit ain't BULL!
As you open Hood Rich, you'll discover the recap of DeMarques Brandon Prince's life. Coming from the hard knocks in his young life to an atypical refined gem!
In the heart of the city of Detroit, (Motor City) Prince knew what it was to have a loving family. Thankfully, his grandparents GG, and Daddy Runae' had been apart of his life. They showed him what a family filled with love could be while his Mother, Bean was usually MIA due to her own personal life.
Like most boys in the inner city Prince idolized his Uncle Silk, and older brother Ant. Both were major playas in the streets. Prince wanted nothing more than to do grime, crime, and continue the family bloodline by being the next KPM (Kingpin in the making).
While Prince hung close absorbing his daily lessons of "Ballernomics 101", he often found that listening and complying wasn't an easy act for a playa of his status. This would prove to be in the future, an invaluable lesson with exorbitant consequences for the young Prince.
Conflicting as it was Prince was a classic teen. Hittin' the mall, movies, skating, playing video games, and house parties! (DEM 80's!) A natural show stopper, Prince always a fly guy, with his good looks he and his boys J, and Chew were checkin' for the cutest new honeys.
Ant consistently fought with Prince trying to keep his hard head safe while trying desperately to remain "my brother's keeper." Both brothers learn early on that Bean had far too many demons. It helped the brothers formulate a bond that would grind hard against all others! But, would that ultimately change as Prince's freedom is now in jeopardy? LOYALTY was never a question! Not for these two brothers, that could easily be mistaken for father and son.
It would take far too long for Prince to realize what his foolish loyalty would do to his life. He'd miss key moments in his BUTTERFLY life, suffer from a broken heart, fall into major slumps as he looses his support system. BUT, could it also be attributed to saving his life?
Hood Rich is the story of a senseless noble sacrifice made by a boy pretending to be a man. As a result he would grow up in the belly of the beast with daily reminders that would continuously test him.
Crystal Perkins-Stell HANDS DOWN IS THE HOTTEST NEW CHICK IN THE URBAN GENRE! Ya'll I can't even front, because I was sleeping on her raw talent as well! This "Baller's confession" will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you back pedal through the hood with Prince as he tells us "his"tory! Are you looking for drama, and suspense so deep that you'll literally be swept into the actual hood? CRYSTAL, has put in serious work! I promise, HOOD RICH makes Real Readers Reflect, and Realize that all Urban Lit ain't BULL!
August 9, 2008
A Prince in Chains
Raised by a single mother that didn't do much in the form of parenting, DeMarques Prince looked up to two males in his family as role models, his uncle, Silk, and his brother, Ant. With both father figures deep in the game, Prince can't help but follow in their footsteps; footsteps bound to lead to a cell or casket. Does being "hood rich" outweigh the consequences?
Prince, the title character, is also the narrator whose monologue depicts his joys, hardships and lessons learned. Crystal Perkins-Stell delivers Prince's story with humor, pain and sarcastic insight. "Hood Rich" is an emotionally gripping tale. In hearing Prince's story, you come to care for him, you come to pity him and in watching his progress, cheer for him. There were a few editing issues and despite explanations given, this reader still had questions. Overall, "Hood Rich" was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the Prince family in its follow-up, "Big Tymers."
Raised by a single mother that didn't do much in the form of parenting, DeMarques Prince looked up to two males in his family as role models, his uncle, Silk, and his brother, Ant. With both father figures deep in the game, Prince can't help but follow in their footsteps; footsteps bound to lead to a cell or casket. Does being "hood rich" outweigh the consequences?
Prince, the title character, is also the narrator whose monologue depicts his joys, hardships and lessons learned. Crystal Perkins-Stell delivers Prince's story with humor, pain and sarcastic insight. "Hood Rich" is an emotionally gripping tale. In hearing Prince's story, you come to care for him, you come to pity him and in watching his progress, cheer for him. There were a few editing issues and despite explanations given, this reader still had questions. Overall, "Hood Rich" was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the Prince family in its follow-up, "Big Tymers."
December 30, 2008
One of the best books I have read..
Read
August 15, 2011just started this book
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews