Nan: The Game of Trife

The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones #2

by Moses Miller

In the city that never sleeps, Nathan Nan Jones, a young man that never slept, just survived a vicious assassination attempt on his life. On the same cold streets of Brooklyn, Jada Dupri, a Black girl lost, desperately searches for some meaning to her convoluted life. Nan s execution was sanctioned by the criminal underworld, in an elaborate plot to be carried out by a corrupt group of bloodthirsty NYPD killer cops. Even though he barely lived through the attack by the skin of his teeth, everything that meant something to him was stolen away in less than a New York minute. He had survived but, his mere existence may only be short lived. A massive manhunt has ensued, and the word has been put out on the streets to bring him in dead or alive. The clock is ticking, and he s living on borrowed time. Since Jada s birth, the beauty of her skin has been her sin...over time it became both a gift and a curse. She yearns to find the father she has never known, to develop a relationship with her mother that she has never had and to feel the unconditional love that she so desperately needs. Even though these two individuals will never meet, and their paths will only cross on one fateful night, the critical decisions they both make will greatly impact the lives of one another. After all, just like you and me, they are both merely pieces in the Game of Trife. A Black girl lost, a young man s pain, a grandmother s guilt, a fugitive on the run... Choose your piece, roll the dice and let the game begin.

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2008

About the author

I'm a father a husband and an African American male who also happens to be a teacher, journalist, a motivational speaker and an award winning author for Mind Candy, LLC, which is a company focused on book publishing, the development of screenplays and educational programming for our youth. Some say I have the ability to capture the pulse of the streets with intelligent and well thought out story lines. However, I believe that I just write compelling books that transcend genres and labels, ultimately providing my readers with memorable experiences. I love to read, and I hate wasting my time on a bad book. So, it's that much more important to me to give my readers their money's worth (and more) when they purchase one of my books. In the past, I have contributed articles and written for various websites and publications including The Voice, Newsday and 88HIPHOP.COM I was the Editor in Chief of content. I hold a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters of Science degree in Technology Management obtained from Polytechnic University. My first novel, Nan: The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones has received various awards and critical acclaim from readers and book clubs around the world. After the successful release of my first novel, I cemented a deal with F.E.D.S. magazine resulting in a joint venture to publish my second release, Once Upon A Time in Harlem in September of 2007. The highly anticipated second installment in the Nan series, The Game of Trife, was released through Mind Candy, LLC in August of 2008, and the finale in the series, Nan: The Trifecta was released two years later. I consider myself a socially conscious individual who strives to play a key role in helping to improve the literacy rates among African American and Hispanic youth. Through my American Me “Voices of Our Youth” program, I have worked with several other organizations in an effort to decrease the high school dropout rates plaguing lower income communities. Besides my fictional work, I have written inspirational books such as The Barack in Me and Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Young Like You. Both books were written specifically for young people, with themes that cross the boundaries of gender and race. I currently teach 6th graders in a high risk area, doing all that I can on a daily basis to inspire our youth to become the leaders of the future. I believe in taking the time needed each day to make a difference!

Reviews

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramifications

NAN: THE GAME OF TRIFE is the dynamic follow up to NAN: THE TRIFLING TIMES OF NATHAN JONES. Moses Miller, truly an author who is grossly underrated, is an expert when it comes to penning a story. NAN: THE GAME OF TRIFE strategically attacks readers, easily trudging between past tense and present day. Spiked with corruption, pain, guilt, love, and death; NAN: THE GAME OF TRIFE starts directly where its predecessor stopped.

Nan is still being sought out in the streets of NYC. Carson and Sonny want him dead, and the sooner the better. With a huge bounty on his head and seasoned killers on the payroll, Nan is sure to be found someplace soon rotting. Unfortunately for them, Nan is skilled in survival and blessed with Sister Sarah, a woman who's opened her home and heart to him. While she knows that he's in need of spiritual healing, she's hoping to also elevate some of the anguish her own heart is harboring.

While trying to heal a wounded heart and settle scores, Nan has choices. He can continue to live on the run or retreat and finally follow his heart. Will Nan be greeted with peace and serenity or is he fated for doom?

NAN: THE GAME OF TRIFE closes some cases while opening brand new ones. Readers will get more entangled in the elaborate details and plots that have ensued.

OHMYWORD NAN: THE GAME OF TRIFE is a must read!!! Perched on the edge of your seats, readers will be anxious to see the outcome. Properly named Mind Candy, Moses easily get readers hooked and in a zone as you're desperately seeking his next installment.

[Keilan Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up to a hood classic

[The Urban Book Source · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moses Miller is a seasoned urban writer and The Game of Trife, an installation of the Nathan Jones saga, demonstrates this. The well-woven tale is pretty easy to follow even if this is the reader's first Nathan Jones novel. First, we meet Sonny the drug dealer who operates out of his fast food restaurant and we quickly learn that he has a problem, Nathan (Nan) Jones. The excitement builds from there as we are taken on an action-packed roller coaster ride worthy of a film starring the Rock. There are crooked cops, pimps and hookers, and drugs galore. And it wouldn't be an urban novel without a good girl getting involved in a bad scene.

In this fast-paced read, the bad guys seem to get away with one egregious act after another. Just when we think they can't possibly kill another person, they do it again in an even more colorful manner than before. Miller keeps the action going even as he provides the obligatory dose of church via Sister Sarah who has emotionally adopted Nan as a surrogate son. The bad guys stay one step ahead of justice but Nan gives them a true run for their money, thwarting Sonny and his henchmen every time they think they've got the drop on him. This situation swings up and down like children on the see-saw until Nan finally comes face to face with Sonny.

My normal comments about editing do not exactly apply to Miller's writing. He has a strong, confident writing style and the editing, for the most part, stands up to reasonable scrutiny. With the exception of occasional poor word usage and odd page numbering and chapter organization, Miller has produced a well-written narrative that successfully moves the reader back and forth in time with relatively little confusion. Despite being a little longer than is necessary for this type of story The Game of Trife is a fun, easy read that is well worth the time.

What did you like about the book?
Miller gives us a fast-paced story, easy to read with lots of exciting action. It almost reads like a screenplay.

What did you dislike about the book?
I found the occasional misuse of words to be a distraction from the otherwise excellent story-telling.

What could the author do to improve the book?
Perhaps trim the novel by thirty to fifty pages and keep a dictionary handy.

[OOSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent Urban Fiction Indeed!
The second installment of the "Nan" franchise finds Nathan Jones still on the run. Revenge on his mind, Nan is no longer just the hunted, he is also the hunter.

Successful sequels build upon their predecessors, allowing characters we already know to grow in each new adventure. "Nan: The Game of Trife" passes in this respect. With an intricate plot, this sequel possesses the same brilliance of its previous endeavor. It is a miraculous story of survival, revenge and adaption. The pace is fast and the characters are unique and interesting. Author Moses Miller stands far apart from fellow writers. He writes from a different spot on the spectrum. Moses is a master at his craft and I'm sure many will add his name to their list of favorite authors, as I've added him to mine. "Nan: The Game of Trife" is a well-executed tale that I highly recommend. I look forward to "Nan: The Trifecta."

Reviewed by: Toni

[Reading Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

Author Miller takes readers through this story from past tense to present, filling in gaps since we last encountered Nan along with the troubles he's accumulated. As `Nan: The Game of Trife' unfolds, we pick right up from where ` Nan : The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones' left off.

Officer Mark Carson's betrayal hasn't only manifested, but it's spreading all over like cancer. The media is all over the story, the police are desperately trying to piece the details together and the killers are relentlessly searching for their kill. While Nan knows he is not safe, he also knows that the people who have destroyed his life need to be destroyed before he can take steps to remove himself from danger.

` Nan : The Game of Trife' is a remarkable, well written novel that completely engages. I am now looking forward to reading ` Nan : The Trifecta.'

[K Nikki Waden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an action packed drama,with betrayal being the main course.Nan has been through hell since he was a child and every time he crosses one bridge he has to face another obstacle,Who can u trust when u been setup too look like a monster and instead of running away Nan decides to seek vengeance on everyone who wronged him and the people he loved

[Kim Hurd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The follow up to Nan..The Trifling Life Of Nathan Jones..Nathan seeks revenge for his love ones