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Walk with Me by Al-Saadiq Banks

Newark, New Jersey is eager to get rid of the infamous, Miracle. A predicate with a long list of felonious crimes. When he’s arrested for the brutal murders of his two codefendants, he realized that his life is over. Walk with Me by Al-Saadiq Banks walks you through the seemingly dark life of Miracle, capturing the ironic circumstance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Al-Saadiq Banks is a resident of Newark, New Jersey and the author of bestselling novels No Exit, Block Party, Sincerely Yours and Caught ‘em Slippin’.

Cagney & Lacey by Crystal Lacey Winslow

When two felons growing up on opposite coasts meet – the attraction is magnetic. When Lacey’s past comes back to haunt her – Cagney’s love is put to the test. Will Cagney ride or die for this lady? Just like a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, these two embark on a killing spree in their quest to leave the past behind. Lace is also the Essence bestselling author of Life, Love & Lonliness and The Criss Cross. She also collaborated on an Essence and Blackboard bestselling novel, Four Degrees of Heat and contributor in the novel, Kiss the Year Goodbye. She’s just completed her third novel, Sex, Sin & Brooklyn II. Lace is the founder of Melodrama Publishing which published the #1 Essence bestselling novel, Wifey.

Snake Eyes by Mark Anthony

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That’s the old adage in the ‘hood. But what happens when your friend is your enemy? All hell breaks loose in Snake Eyes. Mark Anthony weaves a dramatic street tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Mark Anthony is the Essence bestselling author of Paperchasers, Dogism and his page-turner, Lady’s Night. He is the founder of Q-Boro Books.

The Deceitful Hunted by Isadore Johnson

Quawi Ubati’s desperation to hold on to his billion dollar cocaine empire built by blood and fear has led him to hunt down two men responsible for the ultimate betrayal. This notorious Nigerian drug lord unleashes havoc that not even the powerful F.B.I. could withstand in order to find and kill these individuals who he once trusted before planning the ultimate escape. Isadore Johnson is the author of the rapid selling double street novels, Drug Dealer Part 1 & 2.

Keepin’ it Gangsta by J.M. Benjamin

Keepin’ it Gangsta is the only way the notorious ‘Dicer’ knows how to live. Feared by many because of his murderous and infamous reputation, he still finds a soft spot in his black heart to hold down the only woman that has ever truly loved him. But in true ‘Dicer’ fashion he can only keep it gangsta! J.M. Benjamin is the author of Down in the Dirty.

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These women don’t know the definition of Southern Hospitality, and when these out-of-towners come to North Carolina for a visit, they receive a painful dose of reality. After pulling several heists and practically getting away with murder, these ruthless and cold hearted women will stop at nothing to get what they want until…one of them begins to fall for her prey. She attempts to alter the groups original plans, which could expose their true identities leading to possible imprisonment.

The battle between love and loyalty are on the line in Down In the Dirty. As you fasten your seatbelts, prepare for this trip down I-95 South and enjoy the sites, you will find out what lies ahead and just how hot it really gets Down In the Dirty.

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Richard Robinson, aka Richie Gunz, the father of Treacherous Freeman, finds a way to reach out to Teflon while finishing up his last ten years in federal prison for armed robbery. Instantly the two form a father-daughter relationship thicker than thieves from behind the prison walls.

Upon his release, Richie vows to find the whereabouts of his grandchild and do everything in his power to aid Teflon in her situation, and re-enters the streets of Virginia after being absent for nearly three decades.

With Teflon’s second chance at life, she is faced with the decision to live the way society deems best or to choose life over death and become a ride or die chick – again.

Get the Series:

Book 1: Ride or Die Chick
Book 2: Ride or Die Chick 2

Get RIDE OR DIE CHICK 2 and more urban fiction by J.M. Benjamin.

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With their murderous robbing spree sparing no one just how long can Treach and Teflon continue to terrorize the streets of Virginia before they fall victim to the streets again? Can Treach murder Mami, Teflon come out on top?

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Find more street lit by Nikki Turner.

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The former-inmate-turned-author decided to do something about it, so he has launched a book outlet featuring the wildly popular urban fiction genre, along with other titles and children’s books, inside Music N Motion at 204 East Front St. Next month, residents need only to go downtown to get a signed copy of his third novel, “Ride or Die Chick.”

It was barely a month ago that Benjamin approached Don Benito, owner of Music N Motion, to ask if he could set up a display table in front of the store. Benito welcomed him inside, and Benjamin’s first small selection has since more than tripled.

“I have brought a new element to downtown Plainfield,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin said buyers, mostly young people who did not read much before, are buying 80 to 100 books a week.

The store previously sold mainly CDs, DVDs and Leonard Benjamin’s “Ghettofficial Designs” custom T-shirts. Benito’s wife, Kimberly, said all three of her daughters — Shayna, 15; Christina, 21; and Keyna, 22 — have taken up reading since Benjamin brought his books to the store. None were readers before, she said.

Kimberly Benito said urban fiction lets young people understand what’s out on the streets.

“You have to educate children and make them aware of what’s going on,” she said.

Plainfield librarian Lonnie Johnson agreed that the genre has exploded.

“They are reading it, and they are reading it furiously,” he said.

Some have compared the fervor of young adults for urban fiction with that of grade school children for Harry Potter.

The content of urban fiction — drugs, sex, violence, street language — is controversial to many, but Johnson said, “Reading is a skill that once you’ve acquired, you can move on to other things.”

Benjamin’s strategy since publication of his first award-winning book, “Down in the Dirty,” has been to meet potential readers where they can be found, in urban barbershops, gathering places and neighborhoods. Some of his travels are along the same highways and streets where he used to ply his drug trade. Benjamin said the drive that would send him out in any weather to sell drugs now has been transferred to “something positive.”

On the first day he began the book outlet, he went from the city’s East End to the West End, distributing fliers. He also did an e-mail blitz to alert his fans.

Benjamin’s allegiance to his hometown also is reflected in his story of betrayal, “My Manz and ‘Em,” which features a cover photo of the public housing project where he once lived. The book is peppered with references to real Plainfield and Central Jersey businesses and alludes to city turf wars. But it does not glorify the life of its characters.

“You’ll never purchase a J.M. Benjamin book where the bad guy gets away,” he said. “I didn’t get away, so my characters don’t get away.”

Benjamin expects his newfound ties to urban fiction writers will bring many of the authors to the city for book signings in the future.

“I know them personally,” he said.

Source: BERNICE PAGLIA (Courier News)

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