A Woman's Work

Starr, Tysha, Lakesa Cox, and Monique S. Hall contribute short stories centering on four assertive female characters who enter rough street life with varying results. In Starr's "Dying To Be a Star," Melissa James breaks from her Christian household and bolts to Atlanta to be a singing sensation only to do more work on her back than in front of a microphone. In "Money, Stilettos, and Disrespect," Tysha introduces Aisha, a Youngstown woman seeking revenge for the torture, rape, and murder of her beloved mother who finds that revenge is a heavy burden. Cox takes readers into a prostitution ring in "Southern Girls' Escort Service," where double-crossing between the working girls happens without warning. The final story, Hall's "Ms. G-Stacks," has the wifey of Stacks taking over his drug business while he serves five years in prison. But Ms. G-Stacks puts her sexual skills to work and reveals a crooked cops' scheme. All four stories have a crisp flow and connect to the streets while highlighting women who refuse to take any mess from men. Verdict The realistic situations mark this volume as a fine example of the street lit theme of strong-willed African American women dealing with conniving men and crime. Don't hesitate to buy copies, as the "Nikki Turner Presents" label seals the deal. - "Word on the Street Lit," Booksmack! 10/21/11 (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.