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Born Sinners: Hell Up In Harlem
Everybody is born into a world of sin, but how can you change your fate when that’s the only life you know? Damien Ruffin was born and raised in Harlem’s Taft Projects by his heroine addicted mother. He only had one ambition in life, and that was to get out.Damien becomes a solider in the street gang called, The Untouchables, led by the notorious gangsta known as Bishop. He quickly works his way up the ranks under the guidance of Bishop’s lieutenant Dwayne. Alliances are formed, loyalties are tested, but an old secret discovered could change everything.An internal war between Bishop and Dwayne for power will force Damien to make a choice, but his personal demons may prove to be his ultimate downfall.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2015
7 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Marlon Mccaulsky
25 books123 followersMarlon McCaulsky is an American author and screenplay writer of Urban Fiction, Romance, and Science Fiction. He is known for his novels about contemporary African-American life.
Marlon McCaulsky was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in St. Petersburg FL. Marlon is a graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology Tampa.
His first major publication was in (2008) The Pink Palace and has gone on to publish over thirteen novels and anthologies. Marlon is a screenplay writer at Creative Genius Films. Creative Genius Films is an American film and television production company. It is responsible for the short films No Time For Love (2013), Annulment (2014) and the feature length film Used To Temporary Happiness (2012). A Sci-Fi thriller Returned (2015). Marlon McCaulsky serves as Screenplay writer/Author with the company.
He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Filmography
· Used To Temporary Happiness (2012) (screenplay writer, producer)
· No Time For Love, short film (2013) (screenplay writer)
· Annulment, short film (2014) (screenplay writer)
· Returned (2015) (screenplay writer)
Awards and nomination:
2010 African American Literary Award nominee best anthology "Romance For The Streets"
2014 PEN'Ashe Magazine nominee best novel "Malicious"
2015 GANSPA Award Winner Best Erotica Short Story "Bad Girl"
Marlon McCaulsky was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in St. Petersburg FL. Marlon is a graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology Tampa.
His first major publication was in (2008) The Pink Palace and has gone on to publish over thirteen novels and anthologies. Marlon is a screenplay writer at Creative Genius Films. Creative Genius Films is an American film and television production company. It is responsible for the short films No Time For Love (2013), Annulment (2014) and the feature length film Used To Temporary Happiness (2012). A Sci-Fi thriller Returned (2015). Marlon McCaulsky serves as Screenplay writer/Author with the company.
He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Filmography
· Used To Temporary Happiness (2012) (screenplay writer, producer)
· No Time For Love, short film (2013) (screenplay writer)
· Annulment, short film (2014) (screenplay writer)
· Returned (2015) (screenplay writer)
Awards and nomination:
2010 African American Literary Award nominee best anthology "Romance For The Streets"
2014 PEN'Ashe Magazine nominee best novel "Malicious"
2015 GANSPA Award Winner Best Erotica Short Story "Bad Girl"
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 27, 2015
rom the moment this book was promoted, I wanted to read it. I'm a huge fan of Marlon's and I know he doesn't dissappoint. Now before I read the book, I did not know this was the prequel to his earlier book pink palace so for a while I was trying to figure out where the story went. But before I knew it, the storyline took a quick turn and I was quickly turning pages. From the dilemma of Stacey and Damien to the shocking twist of bishop and Vanessa, this was great. A lot of things I didn't expect and didn't predict. And of course, marlon doesn't hold back on his sex scenes lol. This is classic marlon. Quick and fast paced with a whole lot going on. If you are a fan of his books, this is def one you want to add to your collection
June 21, 2015
By choice or born to sin?
Damien Ruffin is introduced to the readers along with the usual urban baggage, the absentee father, heroine addicted mother and the urge to be king of the streets. A high school drop out with constant reminders from his mother that he’d be a looser like his father, Damien lived in a Harlem environment where the amenities were cut off and the food stamps were sold for the next high. 17 year-old Damien’s future looked bleak unless he got a job. Status and quick money was what he wanted, so McDonalds wasn’t going to cut it.
Damien knew in order to survive he would have to work the streets of Harlem and the minute he got the hook up with some “work,” he moved fast and furious to make and stack his money. Being loyal and hungry with the swagger of confidence, Damien catches the eye of Dwayne “King” Smith, a front man for Bishop, an old G who runs Harlem’s drug trade with his crew called, Da Untouchables. But as Dwayne and Damien become thick as thieves, their worlds collide and when the smoke clears serious secrets emerge leaving both soldiers unsure of each other’s loyalty.
A story involving murder, double crossing and love. As I read deeper into the story I had to question the actions of the characters, Bishop, Vanessa and Damien, which only made this an excellent rounded story as all questions were eventually addressed. Damien was borderline crazy…err, no he was crazy, but then again he could be charming. Vanessa had me fooled! But by the end I knew she was just the master of manipulating charm, smh. Bishop? Well you’re just going to have to read the book to see what part he plays in the drama.
Side Note: The storyline involving the characters, Remo and Stacy was great. I loved how they were muddled into Damien’s world and the impact Stacy had on Damien, revealed a disturbing side of him.
If you’ve read author Marlon McCaulsky’s “Pink Palace” you’ll be familiar with some of the characters and as in all his novels that I’ve read, Marlon writes impeccably well, incorporating strong interesting characters within action packed settings. Even with all the action going on I noticed some punctuation no-no’s concerning the dialogue, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of this recommended read.
Locksie Locks
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5****
Damien Ruffin is introduced to the readers along with the usual urban baggage, the absentee father, heroine addicted mother and the urge to be king of the streets. A high school drop out with constant reminders from his mother that he’d be a looser like his father, Damien lived in a Harlem environment where the amenities were cut off and the food stamps were sold for the next high. 17 year-old Damien’s future looked bleak unless he got a job. Status and quick money was what he wanted, so McDonalds wasn’t going to cut it.
Damien knew in order to survive he would have to work the streets of Harlem and the minute he got the hook up with some “work,” he moved fast and furious to make and stack his money. Being loyal and hungry with the swagger of confidence, Damien catches the eye of Dwayne “King” Smith, a front man for Bishop, an old G who runs Harlem’s drug trade with his crew called, Da Untouchables. But as Dwayne and Damien become thick as thieves, their worlds collide and when the smoke clears serious secrets emerge leaving both soldiers unsure of each other’s loyalty.
A story involving murder, double crossing and love. As I read deeper into the story I had to question the actions of the characters, Bishop, Vanessa and Damien, which only made this an excellent rounded story as all questions were eventually addressed. Damien was borderline crazy…err, no he was crazy, but then again he could be charming. Vanessa had me fooled! But by the end I knew she was just the master of manipulating charm, smh. Bishop? Well you’re just going to have to read the book to see what part he plays in the drama.
Side Note: The storyline involving the characters, Remo and Stacy was great. I loved how they were muddled into Damien’s world and the impact Stacy had on Damien, revealed a disturbing side of him.
If you’ve read author Marlon McCaulsky’s “Pink Palace” you’ll be familiar with some of the characters and as in all his novels that I’ve read, Marlon writes impeccably well, incorporating strong interesting characters within action packed settings. Even with all the action going on I noticed some punctuation no-no’s concerning the dialogue, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of this recommended read.
Locksie Locks
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 4.5****
March 27, 2015
Damien’s path had been set before he ever reached earth. He was the product of a drug dealing father whom he’d never met and a drug addicted mother who sometimes adored him and other times hated him for how much he reminded her of his absentee father. He is an intelligent young man, forced to drop out of high school and living in the projects listening to the degrading things his mother would do for her next hit while sharing space with vermin and struggling to keep food on the table. Forced to do whatever it took to survive, his anger issues were a real problem for unsuspecting people who crossed his path.
The life of rising drug dealers looked so appealing to the young man who barely had clothes that fit, decent shoes to wear and who at times went hungry. Determined to become a leader in the streets opportunities presented themselves which he eagerly embraced. His hunger for more and cutthroat attitude opened the door for him to make a name for himself. In him was great potential to rise through the ranks and become a king.
When tragedy struck, something in his mind snapped placing his live-in lover in the direct path of his psychosis. People aren’t born monsters. He has no remorse for the foul things he does to anyone and feels somehow justified in his behaviors.
Sworn off of love, he is surprised when he meets a woman he can see spending the rest of his life with. But for him something deeper resides on the inside. He still has something to prove and decision must be made whether he will forsake some real and lasting for the uncertainty and dead ends that comes from living the street life.
Marlon has once again written an engaging story. His strengths as a writer lie not just in his ability to tell a compelling story, but also in his ability to weave both the glamour and the darker side of the story together seamlessly. In his tales are all the grit and grim that urban fiction readers love with real truths and messages that causes a reader to stop, think and reflect. He is a very skilled storyteller who includes the right amount of action, sexiness, drama and lessons into each tale. This was a real page turner. Looking forward to reading book two of this series.
The life of rising drug dealers looked so appealing to the young man who barely had clothes that fit, decent shoes to wear and who at times went hungry. Determined to become a leader in the streets opportunities presented themselves which he eagerly embraced. His hunger for more and cutthroat attitude opened the door for him to make a name for himself. In him was great potential to rise through the ranks and become a king.
When tragedy struck, something in his mind snapped placing his live-in lover in the direct path of his psychosis. People aren’t born monsters. He has no remorse for the foul things he does to anyone and feels somehow justified in his behaviors.
Sworn off of love, he is surprised when he meets a woman he can see spending the rest of his life with. But for him something deeper resides on the inside. He still has something to prove and decision must be made whether he will forsake some real and lasting for the uncertainty and dead ends that comes from living the street life.
Marlon has once again written an engaging story. His strengths as a writer lie not just in his ability to tell a compelling story, but also in his ability to weave both the glamour and the darker side of the story together seamlessly. In his tales are all the grit and grim that urban fiction readers love with real truths and messages that causes a reader to stop, think and reflect. He is a very skilled storyteller who includes the right amount of action, sexiness, drama and lessons into each tale. This was a real page turner. Looking forward to reading book two of this series.
March 27, 2015
Damien’s path had been set before he ever reached earth. He was the product of a drug dealing father whom he’d never met and a drug addicted mother who sometimes adored him and other times hated him for how much he reminded her of his absentee father. He is an intelligent young man, forced to drop out of high school and living in the projects listening to the degrading things his mother would do for her next hit while sharing space with vermin and struggling to keep food on the table. Forced to do whatever it took to survive, his anger issues were a real problem for unsuspecting people who crossed his path.
The life of rising drug dealers looked so appealing to the young man who barely had clothes that fit, decent shoes to wear and who at times went hungry. Determined to become a leader in the streets opportunities presented themselves which he eagerly embraced. His hunger for more and cutthroat attitude opened the door for him to make a name for himself. In him was great potential to rise through the ranks and become a king.
When tragedy struck, something in his mind snapped placing his live-in lover in the direct path of his psychosis. People aren’t born monsters. He has no remorse for the foul things he does to anyone and feels somehow justified in his behaviors.
Sworn off of love, he is surprised when he meets a woman he can see spending the rest of his life with. But for him something deeper resides on the inside. He still has something to prove and decision must be made whether he will forsake some real and lasting for the uncertainty and dead ends that comes from living the street life.
Marlon has once again written an engaging story. His strengths as a writer lie not just in his ability to tell a compelling story, but also in his ability to weave both the glamour and the darker side of the story together seamlessly. In his tales are all the grit and grim that urban fiction readers love with real truths and messages that causes a reader to stop, think and reflect. He is a very skilled storyteller who includes the right amount of action, sexiness, drama and lessons into each tale. This was a real page turner. Looking forward to reading book two of this series.
5 stars
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Reviewed by Tumika
The life of rising drug dealers looked so appealing to the young man who barely had clothes that fit, decent shoes to wear and who at times went hungry. Determined to become a leader in the streets opportunities presented themselves which he eagerly embraced. His hunger for more and cutthroat attitude opened the door for him to make a name for himself. In him was great potential to rise through the ranks and become a king.
When tragedy struck, something in his mind snapped placing his live-in lover in the direct path of his psychosis. People aren’t born monsters. He has no remorse for the foul things he does to anyone and feels somehow justified in his behaviors.
Sworn off of love, he is surprised when he meets a woman he can see spending the rest of his life with. But for him something deeper resides on the inside. He still has something to prove and decision must be made whether he will forsake some real and lasting for the uncertainty and dead ends that comes from living the street life.
Marlon has once again written an engaging story. His strengths as a writer lie not just in his ability to tell a compelling story, but also in his ability to weave both the glamour and the darker side of the story together seamlessly. In his tales are all the grit and grim that urban fiction readers love with real truths and messages that causes a reader to stop, think and reflect. He is a very skilled storyteller who includes the right amount of action, sexiness, drama and lessons into each tale. This was a real page turner. Looking forward to reading book two of this series.
5 stars
------
Reviewed by Tumika
July 4, 2025
What a wild ride! Marlon McCaulsky's Born Sinners: Hell Up In Harlem is an absolute page-turner that I devoured in practically one sitting. From the moment I picked it up, I was completely immersed in Damien Ruffin's gritty world.
A Gripping Descent into Harlem's Underbelly
McCaulsky masterfully paints a vivid, unapologetic picture of life in Harlem's Taft Projects. Damien's ambition to escape his harsh reality, despite being born into a life of sin, is immediately compelling. You feel his desperation and drive to break free, even as he's pulled deeper into the dangerous world of The Untouchables.
Unforgettable Characters and Twists
The characters are incredibly well-developed. Bishop and Dwayne are formidable figures, and watching Damien navigate their power struggle, while battling his demons, kept me on the edge of my seat. The alliances, the betrayals, and especially the old secret that threatens to unravel everything combine to create a relentlessly suspenseful narrative.
Couldn't Put It Down!
Seriously, this book is addicting with its fast-paced action, compelling storytelling, and profound themes of choice and transformation. "Born Sinners: Hell Up In Harlem" is a page-turner that resonates long after the last page is turned. I wholeheartedly give this book four stars and recommend it to anyone seeking a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and the quest for a better life against overwhelming odds. McCaulsky has truly crafted an unforgettable reading experience!
A Gripping Descent into Harlem's Underbelly
McCaulsky masterfully paints a vivid, unapologetic picture of life in Harlem's Taft Projects. Damien's ambition to escape his harsh reality, despite being born into a life of sin, is immediately compelling. You feel his desperation and drive to break free, even as he's pulled deeper into the dangerous world of The Untouchables.
Unforgettable Characters and Twists
The characters are incredibly well-developed. Bishop and Dwayne are formidable figures, and watching Damien navigate their power struggle, while battling his demons, kept me on the edge of my seat. The alliances, the betrayals, and especially the old secret that threatens to unravel everything combine to create a relentlessly suspenseful narrative.
Couldn't Put It Down!
Seriously, this book is addicting with its fast-paced action, compelling storytelling, and profound themes of choice and transformation. "Born Sinners: Hell Up In Harlem" is a page-turner that resonates long after the last page is turned. I wholeheartedly give this book four stars and recommend it to anyone seeking a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and the quest for a better life against overwhelming odds. McCaulsky has truly crafted an unforgettable reading experience!
July 2, 2015
Born Sinners
Damien was a young man that grew up without the guidance of a father and drug addicted mother. He jumps into the street life full throttle. Living life to the fullest. Drugs, murder and females. Take aride with Damien as life takes him on a rollercoaster ride with Dwayne and Bishop. The ladies Stacy, Trina and Vanessa. Will Damien have the opportunity to take over the streets due to unforeseen circumstances, will his father resurface afters years of being absent. Will he find the love that he has always craved. One click this good read from Marlon McCaulsky and find out.
Damien was a young man that grew up without the guidance of a father and drug addicted mother. He jumps into the street life full throttle. Living life to the fullest. Drugs, murder and females. Take aride with Damien as life takes him on a rollercoaster ride with Dwayne and Bishop. The ladies Stacy, Trina and Vanessa. Will Damien have the opportunity to take over the streets due to unforeseen circumstances, will his father resurface afters years of being absent. Will he find the love that he has always craved. One click this good read from Marlon McCaulsky and find out.
July 11, 2016
Born Sinners, took me there. Marlon what an amazing read. I am praying that this is not a standalone book. I felt the highs, lows, the love and hate. This book was the total package. I love Damien story, it was so authentic. Excellent Job!!!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews