In the Eighties and Nineties, Wesley Evans, better known as Ruby, was Brooklyn's wealthiest, longest reigning kingpin. Accomplishing all it took to make history, including rubbing elbows with celebrities and expanding his businesses out of state, he avoided all the bounties put on his head and NYPD's handcuffs.
Ruby set the bar in Brooklyn, and when he finally became a legit family man, he left behind rules that would ensure not only success, but also humility, for the kings who would follow him.
1)Do not sell to pregnant women. 2)Do not sell to kids thirteen and under. 3)Respect the neighborhood elders. 4)Give back to the community twice a year.
Ten years later, each of Brooklyn's kingpins has followed in Ruby's footsteps, making it out with their lives, freedom, and ridiculous amounts of money. Life is good; Brooklyn's people are good--and then Felix Brown, aka Straw, comes into power. Straw sucks Brooklyn dry. No one is off limits, and following another man's rules is a no-go.
Living out his life stress-free in the Bahamas, Ruby receives a call from his protégé, informing him of the deadly turn Brooklyn has taken under Straw's control. Ruby had left that life alone, but how can he continue living the good life when his home is in shambles? What kind of king allows his kingdom to fall? Ruby's coming home. He thought he was out, but he's not.
About the Author
Born and raised in New York City where she lives with her husband and sons, Brandie Davis-White graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from York College and is the founder of My Urban Books blog and Facebook book club. From home she continues to pen drama-filled novels.
Born and raised in New York City where she lives with her husband, Brandie Davis-White graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English from York College and is the founder of My Urban Books blog and Facebook book club. From home she continues to pen drama filled novels.
The book was written in a way that is very different from any other book that I have read. I think this makes the book very unique. It took me about two chapters to understand what was going on. But the drama started off with a bang. No really with a bang in the first chapter. Talk about a true gangsta move. Starting out like the normal life of teenagers. Today they call it bullying but back in the day we called it teasing each other about clothing and being the nerd out the group. This book makes me think about those old school playas. The ones that think about the situation and make the best decision for all. The old gangsta who thought beyond the money. The character development in the novel was assisted by the present and past storytelling that was done in the novel. Again I will say I have never read a book that went this way but it was a very big change from what I am used to. Brandie Davie did a great job bringing the past and present together to where the reader could understand it. There were a lot of players in the game but I think the conversation between Ruby (Wesley) and his daughter Whitney about the biggest dilemma he had in the novel. That was the turning point for me in the novel. I can’t wait to read more work by you.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review! The novel starts off with young Wesley trying to get home from school before his mother feels he's late and he receives a beating! One of his best friends happens upon him and starts teasing him about his bookd and clothes and it finally comes out that he's working for Jo Jo a big time drug leader and he's committed the ultimate no no which causes him o lose his life right in front of Wesley in broad open daylight. This starts the birth of Ruby. Many years of reigning go by and Ruby decides he's no longer running the drug scene in New York but left some rules in place. Ruby moves to the Bahamas, done with the drug scene but word gets back to him that the rules set in place are being ignored. In the end the streets beckon Ruby back to New York. A friend who was supposed to be his friend and brother held a lifelong grudge and is out for good and revenge by killing off the old it's causing Ruby to resurface!
This book was so good! It was like watching a movie! It was action packed and drama filled! In the end Ruby learned that anyone can turn on you and try to plan your demise! Little did Miles know Ruby's reach was long and in the end you will pay! I thought Ruby was going to lose everything he had but Sherry, his wife loved him since he was that little nerdy boy racing everyday to get home to avoid a beating and they ended up with their happily ever after! Excellent read Brandie Davis!
The book was good in the beginning I was like come Brandie don’t do me like this. It seem to drag to me but I kept reading and then baby it picked up like a mother and I was like this is what I’m talking about. By far Ruby was my favorite character in this book. The plots and twos had me going I’m like this going to happen and nope it went a complete different direction, Their friendship was like great to me I loved it. The heartbreak and some of the stressing from this book. Great book Brandie I really enjoyed your book you didn’t disappoint a avid reader. Until the next book 📚
The book cover fit the story perfectly, cold & solid like the Brooklyn bridge. The storyline was just as strong with several flashback moments from the past to give you details that now affected the future in the story. Ruby was everything he needed to be to survive & entertaining as hell but it was nice to get brief moments of Wesley throughout the book. The ending had me on edge & laughing my butt off at the expense of Miles. Brandie left no stone unturned in this story. And how it all came together this book is going be classic.
Wesley “Ruby” Evans ran his Brooklyn drug empire with honor and instilled that code in the minds of the future kingpins who took over after his retirement. But a new kingpin has emerged, with no respect for the code, and is targeting the old crime lords. This was a fantastic addition to the Kingpins series. I loved Wesley’s internal battle with two different personalities, that of Wesley, the father and husband, and Ruby, the ruthless crime lord. The story is full of action and real drama and a whole bunch of twists you won’t see coming. Awesome book.
As usual Brandie Davis stuck her whole foot in this one!! Wesley/Ruby as a character is so interesting, I swear he should be a case study for Dissociative identity disorder. The flashbacks made the story feel nostalgic and helped with the flow and development of the characters. And to top it off the disability representation was awesome!!! Don't sleep on this one.
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning literally. With an ending that I didn't see coming. I couldn't turn the page fast enough. This book has a mixture of the ol skool New York and the current day New York that is perfect for the older folks out there who miss how things use to be.
At first I didn't think I would like the back and forth because it was different from the other books but! I enjoyed it, liked Ruby and Sherry together and even their daughter. Very good read, the ending was priceless. What goes around comes a round. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword. The author did a good job of bringing it all together.
At first i was confused with the back and fourth. Once i got into the book i was delighted because going back lead up to the present. It was suspenseful because I didn’t even see what was happening until it happened. It was a very good book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So the overall story was great .there were a few typos but nothing that couldn't be overlooked .the timeline switch took some getting used to but it did show alot of dimension to the plot.overall good kingpin story. Would recommend
Unlike the other novels in this series, Kingpins: Brooklyn took me months to complete. All of the flipping back and forth between years and locations could not keep my attention. Not til the engagement party was my interest in completing the book piqued.
I listened to this book on audio and it was a pleasant surprise. I’d never heard of this series but the author definitely won me over with their dynamic storytelling and unique flow. There’s drama, drugs, love, family, and revenge throughout and it all went so well together!
This was a great read that took me back to many of the things that were referenced. From the beginning, I was drawn into the story on a roller coaster that I could not get off until the end. The plots and twists of the storyline keep me reading. I loved the book. I was shocked by the person who betrayed Ruby and I should have expected it. I highly recommend this book.