What do you think?
Rate this book
A Street Girl Named Desire
Bestselling author Treasure E. Blue returns with a gritty against-all-odds urban fairy tale set in the same unforgiving neighborhood as that of his breakout debut novel Harlem Girl Lost.
Desire was born on the streets of Harlem–literally. Her mom, a crack-addicted prostitute, delivered her on a bitter winter’s night after turning a trick and being brutally beaten by the john. Taken from her mother by the state, Desire grows up unwelcoming foster homes, until a local Good Samaritan takes her in. With Miss Hattie Mae’s love and Christian guidance, Desire gains confidence, joins the church choir, and discovers that she’s got a set of pipes–which soon attract the attention of hip-hop’s biggest exec.
But the road to superstardom is paved with dangers and drugged-out, violent rappers, untrustworthy pro athletes promising romance, and vicious drugs. Despite her phenomenal success and Miss Hattie Mae’s kindness, Desire seems destined for a fall from the top that will slam her back onto the pavement where her mama left her–until an unexpected angel picks her back up. . . .
Desire was born on the streets of Harlem–literally. Her mom, a crack-addicted prostitute, delivered her on a bitter winter’s night after turning a trick and being brutally beaten by the john. Taken from her mother by the state, Desire grows up unwelcoming foster homes, until a local Good Samaritan takes her in. With Miss Hattie Mae’s love and Christian guidance, Desire gains confidence, joins the church choir, and discovers that she’s got a set of pipes–which soon attract the attention of hip-hop’s biggest exec.
But the road to superstardom is paved with dangers and drugged-out, violent rappers, untrustworthy pro athletes promising romance, and vicious drugs. Despite her phenomenal success and Miss Hattie Mae’s kindness, Desire seems destined for a fall from the top that will slam her back onto the pavement where her mama left her–until an unexpected angel picks her back up. . . .
319 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2007
23 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Treasure E. Blue
10 books97 followersTreasure E. Blue was born and raised in Harlem. He formerly worked with the New York Fire department as a supervising fire inspector in the Bronx. He now devotes himself full-time to writing and promoting his novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 11, 2009
Yet again Treasure E. Blue takes you thou a journey now this time with a girl name Desire. I've read Harlem Girl Lost and Keisha and Clyde I liked his books so I had to read this one as well.
This books starts off with Desire mom's Nika she is a crackhead that sells her body in order to get drugs.
Desire starts going thou so much before she is even born due to her cracked out mom Nika.
Now after Desire is born she ends up leaving with the woman name Hattie Mae that saved her from that cold cold winter day in the snow.
Nika her mom tried to get straighted for the sake of Desire but, she ends up going back to the drugs.
Now Desire goes thou foster homes to foster homes until she then ends up back with Hattie Mae.
She becomes best friends with a runaway Tish that Hattie Mae takes in as well.
Later on down the line Desire ends up with a rapper name Lil Dollar that she decied to live with. She then takes the spotlight from him and ends up getting her own music deal with Whip but, Whip start turning Desire again her group girls Tish her now sister and Chanel a girl she had drama with back in high school.
Desire started mistreating everyone that was there for her from the get go. A boy name Carvelas that ends up taking care of Desire even at her worst times.
Desire ends up becoming the lowest and then get back on her 2 feet and then back down then back up.
I liked this book Desire did have a crazy life that just kept keeping you reading so you can read more and hope things got better for her.
Great read. :)
This books starts off with Desire mom's Nika she is a crackhead that sells her body in order to get drugs.
Desire starts going thou so much before she is even born due to her cracked out mom Nika.
Now after Desire is born she ends up leaving with the woman name Hattie Mae that saved her from that cold cold winter day in the snow.
Nika her mom tried to get straighted for the sake of Desire but, she ends up going back to the drugs.
Now Desire goes thou foster homes to foster homes until she then ends up back with Hattie Mae.
She becomes best friends with a runaway Tish that Hattie Mae takes in as well.
Later on down the line Desire ends up with a rapper name Lil Dollar that she decied to live with. She then takes the spotlight from him and ends up getting her own music deal with Whip but, Whip start turning Desire again her group girls Tish her now sister and Chanel a girl she had drama with back in high school.
Desire started mistreating everyone that was there for her from the get go. A boy name Carvelas that ends up taking care of Desire even at her worst times.
Desire ends up becoming the lowest and then get back on her 2 feet and then back down then back up.
I liked this book Desire did have a crazy life that just kept keeping you reading so you can read more and hope things got better for her.
Great read. :)
January 1, 2009
We Fall Down, But We Get Up
Desire Evans beat the odds, or did she? Born on the cruel, unforgiving streets of Harlem to an addicted mother, Desire's recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Despite subsequent years of abuse and neglect, she finally found a home with the love, comfort and security she longed for. But when the streets come calling, will Desire answer?
A STREET GIRL NAMED DESIRE is the story of one woman's journey of self-discovery. It's an excruciating journey, but one that was essential for growth, for acceptance and for a chance at life. Treasure E. Blue provides an intimate portrait. In spite of its underlying message, A STREET GIRL NAMED DESIRE was an okay read for me. My expectations were high having read HARLEM GIRL LOST. This was entertaining and held my attention but it wasn't a page-turner. I found the ending to be a little too neat for me. That said, there is still no question that Treasure is a talented brother and a star on the rise. I loved the play on the title.
Reviewed by: Toni
Desire Evans beat the odds, or did she? Born on the cruel, unforgiving streets of Harlem to an addicted mother, Desire's recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Despite subsequent years of abuse and neglect, she finally found a home with the love, comfort and security she longed for. But when the streets come calling, will Desire answer?
A STREET GIRL NAMED DESIRE is the story of one woman's journey of self-discovery. It's an excruciating journey, but one that was essential for growth, for acceptance and for a chance at life. Treasure E. Blue provides an intimate portrait. In spite of its underlying message, A STREET GIRL NAMED DESIRE was an okay read for me. My expectations were high having read HARLEM GIRL LOST. This was entertaining and held my attention but it wasn't a page-turner. I found the ending to be a little too neat for me. That said, there is still no question that Treasure is a talented brother and a star on the rise. I loved the play on the title.
Reviewed by: Toni
November 9, 2011
I really liked this book. It'a about a girl named desire and she was born to fail. I really enjoyed this book because it expressed the word of jesus christ.It had my favorite gospel song Trouble in my way. It's one of the best books ive read in a long time. Very sad but very real. Must read it!!!!
October 27, 2012
The raw emotions that this book brings can only be described as knee bucking.. This book made me cry and stain the pages with my tear drops.. Gritty and realistic.. Grab this book and take a walk through a street girl name desire's shoes
February 16, 2010
I love this book couldn't put it down...left me speechless
June 27, 2015
very good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2020
This is an amazing book, I fell in love with right from page one, my heart felt everything, Happy, mad, sad and I can say I was emotionally involved in this book.
Imagine finding out how you were born in the street, and struggled all your life, people made Desire do things where I was like OMG.
My heart went out her all through the book I cheered her on. Now if you want more details if Desire makes it grab this amazing book.
Imagine finding out how you were born in the street, and struggled all your life, people made Desire do things where I was like OMG.
My heart went out her all through the book I cheered her on. Now if you want more details if Desire makes it grab this amazing book.
November 12, 2017
Love this book
February 8, 2014
This is the second of Treasure Blue's books I've read. Like the first, I was HOT every time something got in the way of my reading. This story of Nika and Desire's lives is more than a roller coaster, it's an entire trip through the amusement park.
This is a book sharing the life of a child born to an addicted mother who was homeless and without support. The condition of labor and delivery is the first of many heartbreaking, "what in the WORLD?!" scenes Treasure Blue paints vividly with well placed words. As the story continues, readers are able to see the development of their lives, the mountaintop highs and the bottom of the ocean lows. Everything in the middle can be found here also. There are no dull moments, no "flip through & get to the good stuff" sections, and no portions that leave readers thinking "that could have been left out, and the book would be just as good." This book is GOOD.
I wish there were a way to offer half a star, as that would be my choice. As that's not an option, I chose not to give 5 Stars because of one major flaw in the writing. There is a character that dies, and that person later turns up in the story. There are many ways that this could have been written into the story line, but to have the person reappear without explanation is, in my opinion, unacceptable.
This is a book sharing the life of a child born to an addicted mother who was homeless and without support. The condition of labor and delivery is the first of many heartbreaking, "what in the WORLD?!" scenes Treasure Blue paints vividly with well placed words. As the story continues, readers are able to see the development of their lives, the mountaintop highs and the bottom of the ocean lows. Everything in the middle can be found here also. There are no dull moments, no "flip through & get to the good stuff" sections, and no portions that leave readers thinking "that could have been left out, and the book would be just as good." This book is GOOD.
I wish there were a way to offer half a star, as that would be my choice. As that's not an option, I chose not to give 5 Stars because of one major flaw in the writing. There is a character that dies, and that person later turns up in the story. There are many ways that this could have been written into the story line, but to have the person reappear without explanation is, in my opinion, unacceptable.
January 11, 2013
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ SPOILERS!!!!
I'd have to give this a 3.5. The story was really very good but there were a few things I had a problem with. The biggest was Tiah. Unless I missed a page somewhere it was never explained how she managed to come back from the dead. That's a pretty big part of the story and like I said, if I didn't miss a page... and I don't think I did.... nothing was explained.
The part where Mx Avery is Desire's mom.... what can I say.... a little too mediocre. I think Blue could have come better than that. That did nothing for me really. I'd have rather Ms. Avery NOT be her mom and be her mentor or something. Just the coincidence alone of them meeting up like that was too much.
The AIDS test - I knew how that was going to play out when what's-his-name walked into the church waving the papers. It was just very common.
Lastly, I'm not sure why but much of this story felt like I had read it before. I know, for a fact, that I've never read this exact book.... yet I seemed to remember so much. I don't know if there is another book I read that's very close to this (it would have to be VERY close) or what but it's very confusing to me why certain parts seemed so familiar.
I'd have to give this a 3.5. The story was really very good but there were a few things I had a problem with. The biggest was Tiah. Unless I missed a page somewhere it was never explained how she managed to come back from the dead. That's a pretty big part of the story and like I said, if I didn't miss a page... and I don't think I did.... nothing was explained.
The part where Mx Avery is Desire's mom.... what can I say.... a little too mediocre. I think Blue could have come better than that. That did nothing for me really. I'd have rather Ms. Avery NOT be her mom and be her mentor or something. Just the coincidence alone of them meeting up like that was too much.
The AIDS test - I knew how that was going to play out when what's-his-name walked into the church waving the papers. It was just very common.
Lastly, I'm not sure why but much of this story felt like I had read it before. I know, for a fact, that I've never read this exact book.... yet I seemed to remember so much. I don't know if there is another book I read that's very close to this (it would have to be VERY close) or what but it's very confusing to me why certain parts seemed so familiar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2012
The play on words in the title of this book gave me high hopes and I was not disappointed. Desire Evans was born in the most chaotic of situations to a drug-addicted mother. Saved by angelic Hattie Mae, Desire manages to loose herself of her turbulent past and rise, with fame, fortune, and success on her heels. But like they say, “Everything that goes up must come down” and down indeed does Desire fall, right back into footsteps of her mother’s past. “Street Girl” was definitely a page-turner with very descriptive and graphic imagery that left very little to the imagination.
1. What did you like best about this book?
The imagery was incredible it was very detailed.
2. What did you dislike about this book?
Not much, it held my interest.
3. How can the author improve this book?
There were a couple points where the story could have flowed a bit more smoothly, felt a bit disjointed in places.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. What did you like best about this book?
The imagery was incredible it was very detailed.
2. What did you dislike about this book?
Not much, it held my interest.
3. How can the author improve this book?
There were a couple points where the story could have flowed a bit more smoothly, felt a bit disjointed in places.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20, 2013
Street Girl Named Desire" was a very touching book. The author showed us how one, can go from having absolutely nothing, to having everything you could possibly want and how it can be stripped from you at any given moment. Desire, from birth was given a chance at life by the grace of God. She was a child of a crack head and was given many opportunities in life to become, a better person than the woman who had given birth to her. Not only did Desire have the talent to sing but she also had a woman who loved her as if she were her own child and took Desire in her home. This book takes you through the journey of Desire and shows you just when you think you have it all, at any moment, everything and everyone who you think, had your back, will up and leave you...with nothing.
February 5, 2011
Ok just finished this book and loved it, this book was like a fierce roller coaster that you had to hold your breath for and pray for a speedy ending, at times i felt bad for the main character, almost to the point of tears, and on one hand I wanted her to suffer because of her conniving and deceitful ways, she was ruthless, heartless and had no regards for anybody feelings or life much less her own, I loved the ending but felt like she had gotten off to easy. But I had to realize she hadn't had it easy since birth, I also felt like she had bitten the hands that fed her and for that she brought about her own demise.
July 27, 2014
This book is definitely a must read. The gripping way the story was delivered captivated me from page 1 til the end. Although a work of fiction, the realization of the story is unnerving. Desire's life seemed doomed at birth. The fact that she even survived such a traumatic delivery was a miracle in itself. The fact that Grandma Hattie Mae rescued her was truly a Godsend. Although throughout Desire's life she faced many unmitigated circumstances, time after time she was able to recover & regroup. Despite her foul attitude towards the people who cared for her the most, in the end she learned to accept their love as unconditional. This was truly a good book.
February 16, 2013
This is a superb book! The book focuses on the life of a young woman's named Desire and her journey from inter-uterus drug exposure to adulthood. This is a real life and painful sight into the world of drug addiction and its use during pregnancy. The book exposes the extreme lows an individual is willing to take for the next "hit". This would be a great study for women rehabilitation programs. I highly recommend this book!!!!! The author did an excellent job!
February 18, 2013
This is the 2nd book I have read by Treasure Blue and it was just as awesome as the first! He writes in a way that makes you feel like you know the characters and it kept me reading all day long to finish the story. I loved how gritty the story was and really felt for Desire and all of the horrible things that she lived through.
I'm having trouble finding one of his other books for my e-reader though, " Harlem girl lost 2" so if anyone knows where that can be purchased please let me know!
I'm having trouble finding one of his other books for my e-reader though, " Harlem girl lost 2" so if anyone knows where that can be purchased please let me know!
December 10, 2014
Unfortunately I read this so long ago that I can't remember exactly how much I loved this book but I am 100% sure that I did absolutely love it! Probably worthy of a 5 but cannot recall the grammar, etc so will err on the side of caution and skip rating it.
Read
April 9, 2008i lOve this bOOk =]
September 7, 2008
A good read about street life, love, and rising above your circumstances.
November 21, 2008
This book is just like harlem girl lost and it has more drama in the life of the protagonist, Desire. Her life is soooo crazy that it drags you into the book deeper with each and eery page!!!
July 9, 2009
GREAT BOOK
March 2, 2010
Outstanding book!!!!
February 11, 2012
I think treasure e blue is a great writer, but some scenes in here was just to much for me! But that's just me... but I will say this book proves he has talent! Great book.
July 28, 2012
I think this book was well written and the protagonist Desire was pretty tough but she had a hint of softness while trying to find her way in the world
October 22, 2012
Wow!! This book was excellent. It definitely left a lasting impression. Treasure Blue is certainly blessed with a gift. I highly recommend this one.:)
December 28, 2012
This book was excellent! It kept me guessing with all of the twists!! It was almost like a life changing book!! Treasure Blue, you really did your thing!! Definitely a must read!!!
March 29, 2013
Old school Treasure Blue. Gotta love it!
June 19, 2013
Good book. A little predictable, but still a great story of trouble and Triumph.
September 5, 2015
You know a book is good if you choose to pick it up a second time. I really enjoyed this story.
August 31, 2015
It started out great but the ending killed it for me. I will say that it was too heavy on the religion for my taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews