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Deserved To Be Loved
Deserved To Be Loved is the coming of age story of Rodney, a black gay teen, and Mike, his on the down low lover. Set in the brutal backdrop of 90's era New Orleans it follows the star crossed lovers as they discover not only each other but the tenants of their own sexuality. They must face the realities of a world that might not fully accept them. The harshness of the homo thug image and New Orleans housing projects is vividly painted in this fast paced no holds barred thrill ride laced in a love story. It feels so gritty and so real that it is nearly ashamed to be called fiction. Deserved To Be Loved delivers, with authentic dialog, fresh realism and a colorful cast.
- GenresM M Romance
38 pages, ebook
Published December 26, 2018
About the author
Rodney Roussell
5 books3 followersRodney “MC Shakie” Roussell is a seven-time published author, entertainer, digital creator, and professional oversharer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Equal parts storyteller, cultural commentator, and chaos coordinator, Shakie has built a loyal following through his raw honesty, sharp humor, and emotionally charged storytelling that refuses to play it safe.
His published works include Deserved To Be Loved, The Kingdom, The Kingdom 2: Athena’s Vengeance, Westside, Prison Playpen, Deserved To Be Loved: Collector’s Edition, and Uncover. His writing dives headfirst into love, betrayal, trauma, identity, survival, messy relationships, and the complicated beauty of flawed people trying to heal while making terrible decisions. You know… life.
Before becoming an author, MC Shakie became known throughout New Orleans bounce culture as an emcee and personality recognized for his signature “call and response” style, larger-than-life energy, and ability to turn almost any situation into either a motivational speech or a hilarious rant. Depending on the day, sometimes both.
Beyond books, Shakie has built a strong online presence through commentary, storytelling, humor, LGBTQ+ discussions, and candid conversations about resilience, incarceration, personal growth, and rebuilding your life when the odds were never designed in your favor to begin with.
Whether through novels, music, videos, or social media, MC Shakie creates work that is bold, emotional, entertaining, and unapologetically New Orleans to the core.
His published works include Deserved To Be Loved, The Kingdom, The Kingdom 2: Athena’s Vengeance, Westside, Prison Playpen, Deserved To Be Loved: Collector’s Edition, and Uncover. His writing dives headfirst into love, betrayal, trauma, identity, survival, messy relationships, and the complicated beauty of flawed people trying to heal while making terrible decisions. You know… life.
Before becoming an author, MC Shakie became known throughout New Orleans bounce culture as an emcee and personality recognized for his signature “call and response” style, larger-than-life energy, and ability to turn almost any situation into either a motivational speech or a hilarious rant. Depending on the day, sometimes both.
Beyond books, Shakie has built a strong online presence through commentary, storytelling, humor, LGBTQ+ discussions, and candid conversations about resilience, incarceration, personal growth, and rebuilding your life when the odds were never designed in your favor to begin with.
Whether through novels, music, videos, or social media, MC Shakie creates work that is bold, emotional, entertaining, and unapologetically New Orleans to the core.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 26, 2019
3.5 stars. Good characterization, solid read, but the grammatical errors took me out of the story at times. I am intrigued to see what Rodney Rousell writes next. #readathon
November 10, 2019
Deserved to be loved is a great read
Captivating and genuine. The author was transparent and honest. It was a pure look into budding love and how although we are different we are all the same and all looking to be loved.
Captivating and genuine. The author was transparent and honest. It was a pure look into budding love and how although we are different we are all the same and all looking to be loved.
February 11, 2020
Great read
The story takes you on a journey of discovery. You can feel the pain and pleasure the characters are experiencing.
The story takes you on a journey of discovery. You can feel the pain and pleasure the characters are experiencing.
November 25, 2019
Good Read
To live in your truth and share it with the world is commendable. I watched a YouTube video and saw the author promoting this book, and my curiosity brought me here. I’ll definitely enjoyed this look into his life.
To live in your truth and share it with the world is commendable. I watched a YouTube video and saw the author promoting this book, and my curiosity brought me here. I’ll definitely enjoyed this look into his life.
April 21, 2019
Used my sister amazon kindle to read this
Omg shakie; this book is everything it brought tears to my eyes. Very valuable lesson spoken in this book. It is a must read!!
Omg shakie; this book is everything it brought tears to my eyes. Very valuable lesson spoken in this book. It is a must read!!
September 26, 2019
Excellent
This story was an amazing and searing love story. This is the type of story that everyone wishes they could get a piece of!! A million thumbs up
This story was an amazing and searing love story. This is the type of story that everyone wishes they could get a piece of!! A million thumbs up
October 30, 2019
Good
Read it! Nice shorty story to read on your free time. Have love, heart break, support, etc all around good book
Read it! Nice shorty story to read on your free time. Have love, heart break, support, etc all around good book
December 30, 2019
Good story but the editing was horrible
October 4, 2020
Very intriguing!
I enjoyed watching the author tell his audacious prison stories on YouTube. He shared his homosexual experiences in a lighthearted, comic way. Although the stories were told with laughter; the message that he was and still is a pillar of strength was clear. So, I was compelled to read this book of his earlier years. I was captivated by his storytelling both on video and writing. It's an easy read that keeps you intrigued. The author did an excellent job of painting a clear picture of who the characters were. If you are deep-rooted in the urban lifestyle or have an open mind it’s a must-read!
I enjoyed watching the author tell his audacious prison stories on YouTube. He shared his homosexual experiences in a lighthearted, comic way. Although the stories were told with laughter; the message that he was and still is a pillar of strength was clear. So, I was compelled to read this book of his earlier years. I was captivated by his storytelling both on video and writing. It's an easy read that keeps you intrigued. The author did an excellent job of painting a clear picture of who the characters were. If you are deep-rooted in the urban lifestyle or have an open mind it’s a must-read!
November 5, 2019
Two Star Crossed Lovers
talkin about being in the right place at the right time it's how I saw this story too young star-crossed lovers destined to collide with each other and that's just what they did. it is not often that we get to read about young love young black love story short and Mike got killed in Rodney never regain that love they both got opportunity to experience it and experience it deeply and some things were just not meant to be and some things are just not meant to happen it had to end the way it ended
talkin about being in the right place at the right time it's how I saw this story too young star-crossed lovers destined to collide with each other and that's just what they did. it is not often that we get to read about young love young black love story short and Mike got killed in Rodney never regain that love they both got opportunity to experience it and experience it deeply and some things were just not meant to be and some things are just not meant to happen it had to end the way it ended
September 9, 2025
Deserved to be Loved...
This storyline was deep and heartfelt. It showed that all people are worthy of Love. All Deserved, to be Loved, regardless of who they are and how Family can and should rally around each other. This should be required reading for bullies and Homofoes. They need to know, we are all human and deserve the same privileges as they do!
This storyline was deep and heartfelt. It showed that all people are worthy of Love. All Deserved, to be Loved, regardless of who they are and how Family can and should rally around each other. This should be required reading for bullies and Homofoes. They need to know, we are all human and deserve the same privileges as they do!
March 22, 2020
WONDERFUL
I'm in tears now😭😭. Omg I deserved!! I fell in love with your live prison stories. This book was written for everyone.... no matter what happens in life I deserved to be happy. God sent me a WONDERFUL husband after I lost my first love. Thanks for the wisdom 😘.
I'm in tears now😭😭. Omg I deserved!! I fell in love with your live prison stories. This book was written for everyone.... no matter what happens in life I deserved to be happy. God sent me a WONDERFUL husband after I lost my first love. Thanks for the wisdom 😘.
January 24, 2026
This was personal to me as I really know Rodney and my Uncle Mike in this book. But it was so well written and I loved it. I want some more "Auntie Shakie" we thought you were going to write a book about my brother Lil Mike!
June 16, 2020
All young gay men should read this book.
Wow, very good, keeps your interest from part deux . Looking forward to checking out more of Rodney Roussell works .
Wow, very good, keeps your interest from part deux . Looking forward to checking out more of Rodney Roussell works .
May 28, 2021
Great book to read
This was really a good book had me wanting to read more everybody deserves love for real !! New Orleans 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿
This was really a good book had me wanting to read more everybody deserves love for real !! New Orleans 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿
August 29, 2021
Very good story
Amazing to read and fully captured my attention. I could feel the emotions throughout the story. It was heartbreaking but a beautiful story without a doubt.
Amazing to read and fully captured my attention. I could feel the emotions throughout the story. It was heartbreaking but a beautiful story without a doubt.
November 11, 2022
coming of age in the 90s in new orleans full of black boy joy..authentic. not a romance but a story about love.
November 13, 2024
Very moving
A quick read yet a beautiful love story. I didn't want it to end, and the last few pages were both sad and hopeful.
A quick read yet a beautiful love story. I didn't want it to end, and the last few pages were both sad and hopeful.
January 15, 2025
This book was outstanding. so many emotions. So well written & emotional. From start to finish I was truly captivated by this story.
February 3, 2025
Bitter Sweet
This was a story that could have been someone’s life and as bitter sweet as it was I wished Shakey could have had another chance. Great short story to read.
This was a story that could have been someone’s life and as bitter sweet as it was I wished Shakey could have had another chance. Great short story to read.
December 10, 2025
The tears.....
This was absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful. I just.....to be seen and then to be loved wholeheartedly. I wish you well. Thank you for sharing.
This was absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful. I just.....to be seen and then to be loved wholeheartedly. I wish you well. Thank you for sharing.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews