Playing Dirty

Notorious #1

by Kiki Swinson

"Kiki captures the heat of the streets." --Wahida Clark

Essence ® bestselling author Kiki Swinson keeps it coming with a gritty drama about one cunning sistah playing a very dangerous game with the law.

Playing dirty is a skill that Yoshi Lomax has perfected. By bribing cops and officials, sleeping with her boss, and convincing her friend in the DEA to make evidence disappear, Yoshi has become a top criminal defense attorney. And she has the multimillion-dollar Miami pad and Aston Martin to prove it. But when she takes the case of badass Haitian mob boss Sheldon Chisholm, her usual way of doing business--by any means necessary--doesn't work. Someone has gotten to the people on her payroll and an unknown enemy is sabotaging her every move. With the list of people she can depend on dwindling, Yoshi's got to toughen up if she's going to survive. . .

More praise for Kiki Swinson

"Kiki Swinson is unstoppable. Whether she's writing about life in the 'hood or living the fabulous life, one thing is for sure--Kiki always delivers a sizzling read." --Crystal Lacey Winslow, Essence ® bestselling author

Genres: Fiction, Urban, Contemporary, Audiobook, African American, Adult

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rating would have been higher had this story not got derailed by drugs and a lack of a decent end. 4 of 10 stars

[Raynesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed my introduction to Yoshi Lomax. There were a few times I had to put the book down in frustration at the foolishness but there was something about the author’s writing that made me want more. In all honesty, I’m glad I finished reading the book. It kept me interested in what would happen next. My only complaint is the ending. I was looking for closure or a resolution. Instead I was left hanging for the sequel, now that was disappointing!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book. Yoshi Lomax is used to running things in the courtroom by bribing judges, lawyers, and cops. But things start changing fast when an unknown enemy starts sabotaging her every more and Yoshi soon starts finding herself fighting for life and freedom. Great read!!!

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what to make of KiKi Swinson. I've read a few of her books and most of them I didn't like, but then I'll read one that is great. In this book, the main character was so annoying with her cockiness. I'm upset that a lot was left hanging and I'm sure it was because KiKi wants you to read the sequel...I won't be reading that.

[KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book by Kiki Swinson so far. Wow, Yoshi is quite the character. The best thing about the book was that each chapter ended with a sentence that made you itch to get straight to the next chapter. Kiki did that on purpose to keep the reader engaged & it works! The twists & turns never ended. You'll find yourself liking Yoshi one minute & then hating her guts the next, only then to go back to hoping she pulls through another hurdle, just so the storyline can go on lol I loved all the characters & I feel that this book was beautifully written. I'm currently reading the sequel and will let you guys know how it turned out!

[Khadisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I want my time back... Read through pages and pages of unlikeable characters, implausible story arcs and just plain horrible grammar and writing... only to end up with a cliffhanger?
No thank you. My brain cells are too precious to be wasted on this drivel.
This was my first, and will be my last KS book. I'm done.

[Erica L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated it. When I purchase an "Urban Fiction" novel with a chocolate sista on the cover, and then the first page describes the title character as being "Korean' I immediately feel "ganked" . It was all downhill from there.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay story , funny in most parts , repetitive, and slow in other parts I knew from the way the story dragged on it would be a part 2-3 I'm not interested in anymore from this character ... Yoshi was down right mean , a fiery harlot , dumb , money hungry, and deceiving. Bad luck just followed her & she barely showed sympathy!!!!! Good book wrong message ....

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really a 2.75 but the main character is so incredibly unlikable that I can't understand how I can overlook it. Don't quite get the concept of Yoshi who is a high priced, beautiful, intelligent woman that uses money and sex to win all of her cases as opposed to her brain. She's a rich, greedy, conniving, selfish, drug addicted, disloyal bitch that deserves all the misfortune that comes her way.

At no point in this book do we see growth with Yoshi. Even when she's arrested she has an heir of superiority. She believes the sun rises and sets exclusively for her. Not one time did she consider returning the money she took from a client but never represented;

[Paula Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was engaged in PLAYING DIRTY from the first page, but it changed midway into the novel when the storyline became unbelievable. Common occurrences came off as staged scenes just so the novel could flow into other outlandish scenes. The novel could have easily worked with a little more research. Case in point, everyone knows DEA agents can recognize the scent of death so one of the scenes in the book would not have played out as it did. The book also ended abruptly without tying up the loose end or offering a cliffhanger for the next installment.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoshi is one tough ass lawyer. Talking about "Playing Dirty" she got too caught up in the game to realize all money ain't good money. As the story develops, I started thinking this ain't go work out well...now to read the next installment.

[Cierra Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting books. I thought the plot twist was fantastic and I didn't see it coming but at the same time I did. It did kind of felt like a fast burn where I felt like we were doing the pacer test and just going up a mountain just to hut rock bottom. Now to the lady in the reviews who said Yoshi is a good attorney I could tell you did not read this book because not once did Yoshi show us her in her lawyer bag NOT ALL. We've seen her coerce people behind the scenes and talk big game and that's it. Also throughout this book I couldn't help but to wonder why did you give this girl a cocaine addiction? Like did you really have to because it somewhat feels out of place.

[Dinella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough about this Author who now has a TV show coming out about this particular book. Kiki Swinson has a story to tell.

[Latoshia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read part II

I didn't expect the book to be as good as it was. Kiki is one of my New favorite authors.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exploring an unfamiliar genre for work. I am glad there is something for everyone, but this is not for me.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoshi done got into a lot of trouble. A lawyer playing by her own rules get caught up

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall book was good I wish the ending was better but I guess that's why they have a second book.

[Sol Luna The Book Heaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into it

[LaLa Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Yoshi chick is trash, she has everything but has absolutely no respect for any of it or anyone.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

(FROM JACKET)Playing dirty is a skill that Yoshi Lomax has perfected. By bribing cops and officials, sleeping with her boss, and convincing her friend in the DEA to make evidence disappear, Yoshi has become a top crinminal defense attorney. And she has the mulitmillion-dollar Miami pad and Aston Martin to prove it. But when she takes the case of Haitian mob boss Sheldon Chisholm, her usual way of doing business-by any means necessary-doesn't work. Someone has gotten to the people on her payroll and an unknown enemy is sabotaging her every move. With the list of people she can depend on dwindling, Yoshi's got to toughen up if she's going to survive...

[Bri Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!! I have read this book a total of 3 times through my lifetime and I'm currently reading the squeal! It definitely keeps you on your toes to the point you don’t want to put the book down. The suspense is unbearable due to Yoshi’s God-like attitude until like all humans she faces her demises straight into the face, and that’s when everything goes down hill for her. I truly believe this book shines a light on gender manipulating power, injustice in the justice system, and how money can capture the souls of mankind.

[RiRi]

It wasn't the usual Kiki Swinson book, i'm used to. The book was a page turner however it built up a story line and never explained in entirety who was behind the scheme, like for an instance, who was the woman with long hair that killed her best friend. I have many unanswered questions and i'm sure the sequel is not going to answer them. Although I still like the author this book was not one of my favorites.

[Sharonbrown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another soap opera -- asian/blk main character with a high-profile job trying to make it to the top by any means necessary -- did not like the ending. Felt like the author just ran out of ideas and chose the wrong ending. The book goes along smoothly -- beware, lots of cussing and fussing and graphic sex but the ending just disappointed me.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really interesting because it's about a girl and she would mess with different guys.Yoshi's friend works for the DA and her friend gets all the information and tells Yoshi about what she knows.Yoshi is good at what she does because she seduces the guys like the judge.Yoshi gets what she wants no matter what.She has a choice to either live or die.

[Shawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great from start to finish and,the the main character Yoshi takes you on a roller coaster ride with her schemes,and her get money by any means. Her schemes lead to a lot of trouble for her and caused a lot of people their lives. Kiki definitely did her thang with this book 5 star read.

[Lunden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoshi thinks she is the ish...and she is until her world as she knows it comes crashing down taking those she cares about with it. She learns that everyone can't be trusted and you reap what you sow. Will she be able to bounce back after it's all said and done? I guess we will find out in Notorious.

[Mary Hendrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as a legal thriller, this doesn't quite hang together. It's probably more enjoyably read as a power fantasy—setting aside the murder and mayhem—but if the "rolling in designer goods, live large on a yacht, revenge fantasy" thing's not your preferred flavor of fantasy, it's probably not going to land. It didn't for me, but then I doubt it was really meant for me.

[Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've just finished reading this book and i really liked it!!!! iv'e come to really like this author as well and i have read almost all her books i am about to start the next part of playing dirty it's called Notorious i cant wait i'll tell you how it goes

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but sure was disappointed when it ended with a huge, I'm talking HUGE cliffhanger! Luckily there is a sequel! Lots of action and excitement throughout the story with sex, drugs, corruption, lying, crime..... it has everything!

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read from beginning to end. Although Yoshi is a great attorney, she allowed her arrogance & scheming ways to almost get her killed. This book kept me in suspense and held my attention throughout.