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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mistress of Manipulation (3.5 Stars), January 17, 2010
This review is from: The Diamond Syndicate (Paperback)
The Diamond Syndicate chronicles the life of Diamond Reed and her transformation from daddy's little girl into a mistress of manipulation. Diamond's father taught her the rules of the game at an early age and Diamond was a very quick learner. As a young child Diamond was so proficient at getting what she wanted that her own mother would suffer beatings at the hands of her father if Diamond's demands weren't met. By the time Diamond reached adulthood her good looks and banging body easily garnered her male benefactors but her demanding attitude would eventually run them away.
Quickly tiring of boring sugar daddies Diamond decides to branch out and work her charms on the young block huggers. This wouldn't be a problem if they weren't friends of her teenaged son Dante. Dante's a bookworm who's been successful at avoiding his mother's schemes no matter how hard she tries to rope him in. But once Diamond begins recruiting Dante's friends he finds himself unwillingly involved in her plots. But when one plot lands the mother and son duo in jail for murder will Dante be able to avoid being penalized for Diamond's transgressions?
Author Erica Hilton does an excellent job developing both Diamond and Dante Reed's characters. The exploration into Diamond's upbringing helps readers to empathize with Diamond's domineering personality and also to sympathize with Dante's submissive personality; which of course was a direct result from growing up under Diamond's tyranny. This helps the novel supersede what could have easily been a simple tale about an oversexed cougar taking advantage of horny neighborhood teens.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mother Knows Best..., July 18, 2010
This review is from: The Diamond Syndicate (Paperback)
Diamond Reed dreams of living the glamorous life by any means necessary. She's beyond reproach and has no conscience about who she hurts while trying to `get hers.' Spoiled as a child, she honed the skill of manipulation while watching her father abuse her mother. Feeling no sympathy, she in turn incites some of those beatings. Love is a foreign word in Diamond's world; she has no perception of its meaning.
Living life fast and furious, Diamond becomes a single mom and wastes no time blaming young Dante for her failures . Everyone has a place and purpose in her world, and they are all to be used for her benefit. Medicaid case worker Shakeeda Bingham naively falls victim to assisting Diamond in one of her illegal schemes and discovers the malevolent side of her co-conspirator. Using her feminine wiles, Diamond lures young ballers in and plays them for all they're worth. She uses her sexual prowess to influence them to more lucrative criminal activity while challenging them mentally, as well as physically, against one another in their quest for her love.
Does Diamond achieve her lifelong goal of becoming rich and beautiful? Will she reap all the evil that she has sown? Will young Dante have to pay for his mother's transgressions? Can her sexual hold over the youngsters remain intact, or will they outwit her in the end? How many will fall under her tyranny?
Diamond Syndicate by Erica Hilton is definitely a fast paced as well as unique read. Erica Hilton's depiction of an evil, cunning, and intelligent vixen is exemplary and will astound you with each captivating, unfolding scene. Super read! Great job Ms. Hilton!
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for Urban Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cougar, April 16, 2010
This review is from: The Diamond Syndicate (Paperback)
DIAMOND SYNDICATE by Erica Hilton is the story of Diamond Reed. When she was little, her father led her to believe that she was a diamond in the rough. Since she was his diamond, he treated her like the precious gem she was named after. He taught her not to take any crap off anyone, whether man or woman. He told her that if she saw something and she wanted it, to take it. Unfortunately for him, he finds out too late that in teaching her these things he raised her to be a selfish and cold woman.
Diamond was not cut out to be a normal mother. Angry that she let her guard down one time and got pregnant she takes her anger out on her son, Dante. She manipulates him into doing whatever and whenever she wants his entire life. Dante loves his mother so much; all he wants to do is please her, regardless if some of the things she tells him to do are wrong. Determined to go to college to make something of himself, Dante is surprised to find out that his mother has other plans. Diamond has all the young boys on the block at her beck and call, involved in all her shady scams to make money. DIAMOND SYNDICATE is the little organization of young street thugs that Diamond put together to get money anyway her mind could conjure up. What will happen to Diamond and her Syndicate?
DIAMOND SYNDICATE was a mediocre read because: 1. I did not see where a syndicate came in, 2. A few things did not make much sense. The story is one of love, betrayal, murder and deceit. People you think are your friends really are your enemies, and blood may not be thicker than water. If you like street-lit books, as well as novels with these type of themes, then you might find this book enjoyable.
The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by Leona
APOOO BookClub
Final Rating: 2.5 stars
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