FLOSS (The Floss Series) [Kindle Edition]

Monica Marie Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Author Monica Marie Jones delivers greatness once again with her 3rd book, Floss. But don't let the title fool you, this book is far from your typical urban fiction novel littered with the plights of a king pins and his "ride or die chick." Floss is more of a warning of what happens when you allow the love of money to be your sole focus and only motivation. Set in Detroit, the city where people are known to floss, Jones introduces an ensemble of characters of young professionals from different walks of life with one main thing in common-the uncontrollable desire to Floss.

When Jones opens the cautionary tale with main characters and childhood friends Abel (the party animal/closet Christian), Solomon (the follower), and Jabez (the ultimate ladies man) you have an instant sense of familiarity. Abel and Jabez are the epitome of the successful, attractive brothers that every woman wants and every man secretly wants to be like-including Solomon. Back in the 90's we would have called him a "Perpetrator" because while he may always step out of the house looking like a million bucks, he's stepping out of his mother's house with his room in the basement and name on the orange juice. Tyse is on the same level as Solomon. Although he doesn't live with his mother his struggle is the same to acquire the status, success and acceptance of the likes of Jabez and Abel so he can get the attention of women like Torah and Dionysus.

Dionysus is the ultimate showstopper with looks that can make a blind man take notice and a homeless man give her his last penny. Fully aware of the impact she has on men Dionysus never passes up an opportunity to use her feminine wilds to get any and everything she wants. While the paper chase runs in the family her cousin Torah lacks some of her natural beauty and level of skills, which often results in Dionysus taking advantage of her. Unfortunately her tendency to underestimate Torah leads to an ill-fated turn of events that affects the lives of everyone involved and leaves someone wearing a toe tag.

This page turning thriller is sure to be an instant best seller with its tale of how easy it is to get caught up and caught out there when your desire to Floss gets the best of you. From start to finish it will have you on the end of your seat and leave you salivating for more... -- Michigan Front Page, July 2008 - Cindy E. Folson

Product Description

In the world we live in people are divided into three main social classes...the upper class, the middle class and the lower class. In Detroit and other cities like it, a fourth social class has emerged in the minds of those who occupy it. Unlike the other classes, the fourth is more of an active state of being. It is a verb. People in this class act out and represent what it means. The fourth class is called FLOSS.

Friends since childhood, Abel, Solomon, and Jabez strive to climb the social ladder. Cousins Dionysus and Torah strive to climb that same ladder, but they would much rather travel on the backs of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez. Tyse wants to climb that ladder as well in the company of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez while attracting women like Torah and Dionysus.

When the worlds of these six socialites collide and become intertwined the outcome is scandalous. Will the controversies that they encounter be worth the cost that it takes to FLOSS?

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 152 KB
• Publisher: The Literary Loft (June 19, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001BBYGY8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Monica Marie Jones is an author whose published works include The Ups and Downs of Being Round (Fiction/Self-Help), Taste My Soul (Poetry) FLOSS (Fiction) and Swag (Urban Fiction). She is a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul, New Directions for Youth Development, 44th (A full color coffee table book about President Barack Obama)and Souls of Our Young Sisters: The Next Generation of Women Tell Their Stories, Overcome Their Challenges, and Heal Their Spirits.

She has also contributed to several publications and youth development training materials for the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. She has worked as a columnist and freelance writer for various publications and websites including the Michigan Front Page Newspaper and is an active member of the Motown Writer's Network where she is the host of her own show, "Marketing and Motivation Mondays with Monica Marie Jones" on the Michigan Literary Network Radio.

For more information visit her website at http://www.monicamariejones.com or email her at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keeping Up With The Joneses, August 4, 2008

By 

CHayes "Cheryl" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: FLOSS (The Floss Series) (Kindle Edition)

Floss by Monica Marie Jones is an urban novel revolving around five characters whose lives are full of glamour, glitz and fame. Keeping up with the Joneses by any means necessary is the motto for this crew. The question is how far each will go to lose their own identity, while trying to compete with each other, and gain popularity and the greatest fame?

Jabez, Solomon and Abel are childhood friends who as teens competed with each other for who could be the best. Solomon always fell short because he was not near as creative as the dynamic duo, nor did his parents have as much money. So Solomon worked two jobs and embellished his accomplishments, while Jabez and Abel seemed to conquer everything they touched. Abel is a hard working man with his own house, multiple cars and a lust for beautiful women. Jabez is the same but with a hint of mystery. Can Solomon hold his own when he is put under pressure to show and prove or shut up?

Dionysus is a beautiful, gold-digger who wants nothing but the best. While running through men like she is running in a marathon, she refuses to slow down and see the error of her ways. While dragging her homely cousin, Torah, along for the ride, Dionysus uses all of her femine wiles to steal every man that is up for the taking, even the not so available ones. Torah is confused by Di's actions and gets sick and tired of being her lap dog. She sets out to prove that she is just as sexy and can get any man she wants as well.

This is a well-told drama, involving friends, lovers, and family that will have you laughing, crying and cheering for a great ending. I recommend this to readers of all genres, and I look forward to Ms. Jones' next book.

Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (4.5 stars) Money Is The Root Of All Evil, December 20, 2008

By 

Urban Reviews "Your Source for the Best in AA... (Online) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: FLOSS (Paperback)

Three friends since childhood learn an important lesson about relationships, money and life...but at what cost? Jabez had a lot going for himself. He came from wealthy parents, he achieved good grades, and he was involved in the church and the community. Jabez lived his life to make his parents proud. But in a short period of time, Jabez lost both of his parents. Feeling alone in the world, who would Jabez turn too?

Dionysus was used to getting what she wanted. She was used to men drooling all over her and women being jealous. Dionysus was only concerned with one thing ...dollar signs. But her world goes into a whirlwind when she becomes torn between two friends. Will Dionysus finally have a conscience?

Abel was very successful in the real estate business and in everything he did, including women, rocking the latest fashions, and at the same time maintaining good grades while he worked on his masters degree. Abel also maintained an relationship with God and his lifestyle begins to play a tug of war on his faith. What decision will Abel choose?

Solomon didn't have things so easy. He was always in competition with Abel. If Abel went to a private school, Solomon did too. If Abel bought a new car, Solomon did even though he couldn't really afford it. Solomon went as far as to date the same women as Abel. But trying to juggle that lifestyle becomes too much to handle. His house was foreclosed on, forcing him to move back home with his mother to maintain his lifestyle. But Solomon is plotting the sweetest revenge to get on top.

Torah was used to playing second fiddle to her cousin Dionysus. She was the only family member who was close to Dionysus because everyone else was intimidated or felt threatened and stayed away. After feeling betrayed and hurt by her cousin, Torah comes up with a brilliant plan to teach her cousin a lesson.

Tyse had an image to uphold. He was always juggling women, made sure he never wore the same outfit twice, and always had money to floss with even if it meant taking someone's identity. But when Tyse goes to far, he may have an early demise.

FLOSS was a good book by Monica Marie Jones. It showed the inside world of what people do to uphold a certain image. I enjoyed how the author broke up each chapter by character. By doing this, it really helped you focus on each character separately. Monica Marie Jones really painted the scene and shows that FLOSS may not always be a good thing.

Reviewed by Kristin
for Urban Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Floss Is A Must Read!, July 14, 2008

By 

Cindy Elaine Folson "Cindy E. Fom" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FLOSS (The Floss Series) (Kindle Edition)

Author Monica Marie Jones delivers greatness once again with her 3rd book, Floss. But don't let the title fool you, this book is far from your typical urban fiction novel littered with the plights of a king pins and his "ride or die chick." Floss is more of a warning of what happens when you allow the love of money to be your sole focus and only motivation. Set in Detroit, the city where people are known to floss, Jones introduces an ensemble of characters of young professionals from different walks of life with one main thing in common-the uncontrollable desire to Floss.

When Jones opens the cautionary tale with main characters and childhood friends Abel (the party animal/closet Christian), Solomon (the follower), and Jabez (the ultimate ladies man) you have an instant sense of familiarity. Abel and Jabez are the epitome of the successful, attractive brothers that every woman wants and every man secretly wants to be like-including Solomon. Back in the 90's we would have called him a "Perpetrator" because while he may always step out of the house looking like a million bucks, he's stepping out of his mother's house with his room in the basement and name on the orange juice. Tyse is on the same level as Solomon. Although he doesn't live with his mother his struggle is the same to acquire the status, success and acceptance of the likes of Jabez and Abel so he can get the attention of women like Torah and Dionysus.

Dionysus is the ultimate showstopper with looks that can make a blind man take notice and a homeless man give her his last penny. Fully aware of the impact she has on men Dionysus never passes up an opportunity to use her feminine wilds to get any and everything she wants. While the paper chase runs in the family her cousin Torah lacks some of her natural beauty and level of skills, which often results in Dionysus taking advantage of her. Unfortunately her tendency to underestimate Torah leads to an ill-fated turn of events that affects the lives of everyone involved and leaves someone wearing a toe tag.

This page turning thriller is sure to be an instant best seller with its tale of how easy it is to get caught up and caught out there when your desire to Floss gets the best of you. From start to finish it will have you on the end of your seat and leave you salivating for more...