Adrianne Byrd

"Street Divas" by De'nesha Diamond was hot...red hot!!! The author immediately brought me into the book. The action started right away. The scenes were painted bright and vivid, and the characters were well-written. I mean, I felt like I was living on ShotGun Row, I could just feel Python's pet snakes crawling all around me, and I started to hate LeShelle's throne with a passion. Ms. Diamond really outdid herself here. I really enjoyed how the events and people connected, like how Cousin show more Skeet ended up being "Supercop," and Mason ended up being Terrell's long-lost brother. Ms. Diamond had me all wrapped up.
The only criticism I would give is that the book was a cliff-hanger...I was wondering what was going to happen next when the movie ended, did Momma Peaches end up leaving Issac and marrying Cedric, and what happened to Python's and Yolonda's baby, but the cliff-hanger's okay because I'm already getting ready to read the next book to check out what happens in this street-lit drama.
I give it 5 stars. show less

3.5 stars

Read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season:
Task the Fifth: The Kwanzaa:
- Read a book written by an African-American author or set in an African country.

I was impressed that all three felt like complete stories, not rushed, which is usually my biggest complaint about novella/short stories. The first story Holiday Heat had a very believable compatible couple, the second Candy Christmas was the most sexual with plenty of dirty little scenes, and the third Chocolate Truffles was my show more favorite with the build up of love with the balance of sexy times and relationship building being fantastic.
I rounded down because I didn't really get a holiday feel from the stories, they take place on or around the holiday season but it wasn't really focused on. show less

Told from the perspectives of several women from all parts of the game, this is a tale of sex, drugs, and conflicting loyalties. These women all have one thing in common: a natural instinct for the hustle. Their various stories revolve around the affections of two rival gang leaders. Whether they are struggling to catch the right man's attention, or frustrated over their man's lack of devotion, they are all scheming to beat out the rest and finally achieve security in the dangerous streets show more of Memphis. A complex novel about survival and what a woman is prepared to sacrifice for a chance at happiness. show less

Gang-Related

“Hustlin’ Divas” ended with the showdown of all showdowns about to go down! And “Street Divas” picks up right there. So much happens that it’s impossible to summarize. Most revolves around the ongoing war between the Black Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords.

I had to think on this one for a day or two to decide exactly how I felt about this book. Had to let it marinate. Again, like with its predecessor, there was some strong writing that included things I liked and show more things I did not. Diamond (Byrd) can certainly deliver a story that holds readers with no wane in interest. Being able to write in more than one genre successfully, the sister has true talent. With “Street Divas,” Diamond has crafted a highly entertaining tale – an urban spin on Romeo and Juliet - with complex, layered plots and dropped in some surprises to bring it all together. She envelops readers in the underworld of the Black Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords. You root for some characters while wishing death for others.

Disappointing, I have the same complaint with this book as I had with the prior book. There are times I felt the novel tried too hard and I wished that Diamond had pulled back some. Talent and skill are talent and skill and all the extra is not needed.

I also was very disappointed that this storyline was not brought to a conclusion and that there will be yet another book. Had I known going into this book that it didn’t end, I can’t say that I would have even read it. To Diamond’s credit, this sequel is a story in itself, meaning it was not a retelling of book one or no new material. Readers learn more about characters through flashbacks that proved useful. I’ll read “Gangsta Divas” as I’d like to see how things will play out, but I do hope that will be it.

If you’re looking for a page-turner, “Street Divas” is the book for you.

Reviewed by: Toni
3.5 stars show less