Book Review- Diamond Playgirls

What happens when four young successful women from different cities decide to further their careers in the Big Apple while living under the same roof? A little bit of everything.

Meet Dior, a beautiful young woman who just arrived from Canada and is filled with excitement—so excited that her compulsive shopping gets her in trouble but it also helps her find love with the furniture delivery guy. Chris is a wonderful man who is great in bed but when Dior learns something about him that she never expected, will she give up on love or will she meet Mr. Right on myspace.

Tamara is excited about NY because she is hoping to further advance her party promotion career. She is working for two of the biggest names in the business, the Harold Brothers. She isn’t looking for love but love finds her twice. Maurice Harold takes a strong interest in Tamara but she doesn’t like to mix business with pleasure but Maurice can care less even if he is married. Tamara fears that she will be unlucky like her mother and grandmother who have been married again and again. When Aaron a man that she has strong feelings for reveals that he is ready to settle down, will she be ready... to run?

Then there is Chloe. She is the pretty rich girl who meets the man of her dreams. He is smart, handsome, and wealthy. Their love affair seems perfect and is running strong but Chloe is keeping a secret that could cost her the relationship.

Mona Lisa is a woman with a scorned heart. After her mother left she was raised by her father to be a player. She gives a man her body but nothing else. She has loved before but she let Nat slip away. When he finally surfaces again will they be able to continue where they left off or will she lose out on love again?

Diamond Playgirls was definitely a fun read as the authors created this anthology like a Sex in the City meets Girlfriends. The most interesting characters are Tamara and Dior because from each one you get a dose of humor and reality. There are other interesting characters like Jerome the annoying neighbor who tries to get with each of the women who live in the building using his tired mack game. There is also Ms. Margie, the dreadlocked straight to the point old head who actually owns the building that these ladies live in. She calls it her “Diamond Palace” thus the name Diamond Playgirls.

The book was definitely a fun read because each author had to blend each story together in order for these women to finally get together in the end. If you are looking for a book that breaks the usual street fiction drama, then this is the one to get.

Heather Elitou-Reviewer

Interview with Deja King- The B**ch is Back!!!

Deja King is a Bitch, better than that she lives by the acronym: Babe In Total Control of Herself. This young lady has made a name for herslef in the urban fiction genre with her two most controversial books, Bitch and Bitch Reloaded. She is now in the process of dropping the third Bitch book with Triple Crown Publications.

In Bitch, Precious Cummings is that chick! She comes from nothing and uses all of her asssets to get what she wants. When she finally achieves her goals she is then faced with having to deceive her closest aquaintances and answering to the one man that she owes her life to and he is ready to end it.

When she lives to see another day, she then realizes that she has lost someone that she is very close to and she is out for revenge and anyone that stands in her way is going to bow down. Will she use all nine of her lives? When this sexy kitten is ready to do some harm, she let's nothing stop her.

We had the opportunity to chat with Deja and find out about how she feels about the success of her book and what is in store for 2008.

Congratulations on your third book, how does it feel to release another Bitch book?
I’m so excited!! Bitch is going to be a five part series.

When you first released the Bitch book, what were people’s responses?
I instantly got positive feedback, especially from young teenage girls. The story struck a chord for them and they’ve been riding for Precious ever since.

Do you think people identify with these characters?
I think people identify with Precious because a part of them would like to be like her. She’s such a strong independent person who doesn’t take BS from anybody. I think all of us wish we could be like that more often.

How would you categorize your book?
I consider it to be an action packed street novel.

What is the message that you wanted your readers to embrace?
I always want readers to connect to my characters and understand their struggles and actions whether they agree with them or not.

Are you done with the Bitch books?
After The Bitch Is Back, I have two more in the series, which are Queen Bitch and Last Bitch Standing.

How did you feel when the book was published?
When I first saw Bitch in print I was ecstatic. I always loved the concept of the book and the characters. To hold it in my hand was truly an amazing feeling.

Tell us about the Bitch is Back.
In The Bitch Is Back you see Precious at the very top of her game. She is no longer hood rich; I mean her husband is a freaking mogul. She was rich in Bitch Reloaded but she was too busy mourning for Supreme and trying to find his killer that she wasn’t able to relish in being chipped up. Now you see her having it all but of course when you take a person to the top you have to bring them all the way down to having nothing.

How do you stand apart from other artist?
I’m my own person for one. I do what my gut says. For example, a lot of people told me I shouldn’t write a book called Bitch because it would offend so many people. I was like PLEASE because I meant the term as an empowerment for women. When I see a woman who has it all together and I say, “That’s a bad bitch right there,” I mean it as a compliment…period. So with everything I write I separate myself from others because it’s who I am and I bring a freshness that can’t be duplicated.

Tell us a little about you.
I’m a mother first and my family is the most important thing to me. I used to work in the entertainment industry and for a very long time was a party girl, but now I’m a homebody who enjoys writing and spending time with close friends and family.

What is it like to be a published author?
It’s a great feeling because the love and adoration I receive from readers sometimes brings tears to my eyes. I can be having a bad day but when I open an email with a reader praising my work it just lifts my spirits and puts a smile on my face. When I’m at a book signing and someone says thank you for a wonderful book, I tell them "no, thank you" because if it wasn’t for their support I wouldn’t have a career doing what I love.

Do you surprise yourself with what comes out in your writing?
Not really because I’m a complete nut, so it never stops. I’ve been making up stories since I was five years old playing with Barbie’s. I’ve always had an overactive imagination and plus I’ve seen and done so much in my life so it comes naturally for me.

What advice do you have for people who are writing a book?
Be true to your vision, meaning when you’re writing a book knows the picture you want to paint and make it come alive. Also, know your market and give them a book that they will truly enjoy.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?
I haven’t reached it yet. But I am excited about having three books come out in less than a year and being on all three covers. The majors not letting you do that, but Vickie Stringer did it for me and I’ll always love her for that.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Honey, I take it day by day. If me and my family are alive, well and healthy than I’m blessed.

What is your goal for 2008?
For the readers to love the last 3 parts of the Bitch Series and be thirsty for whatever I drop in 2009.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
After you write your book and get it published, grind hard. It’s damn near impossible to break a new author now. The market is so saturated that readers are checking for books written by names they’re familiar with. It can be done but you have to work that much harder to promote you and your material.

Which authors do you admire and why?
I’m a huge fan of Walter Mosley because his talent as a writer is timeless. But as far as admiring authors, that’s not really my thing. But in the street genre I admire Vickie Stringer and Teri Woods because both women got the game on lock. They both understand the importance of branding and hustled their asses off to do just that.

What are the last few words that you would like to leave with those that read this interview?
No one can stop you from accomplishing your dreams but you so don’t fall prey to the negativity. When you’re trying to uplift yourself there will always be somebody trying to bring you down so let the haters be your motivators. Hugs and kisses to all the people who support me and my work!! Much love.

What did you think of the books Bitch and Bitch Reloaded? Do you think Precious is the one that holds it down? Send us your comments and you may win a copy of The Bitch is Back!

Heather Elitou- Interviewer