Customer Reviews

The Hood Life: A Bentley Manor Tale (Bentley Manor Tales)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Move over ladies of Bentley Manor, the men of Bentley Manor are out to tell their story and it is HOT! Spinning a tale of sex, drugs and drama, Meesha and De'Nesha skillfully lure you into the lives of four men with roots in Bentley Manor. Although this book follows behind the highly acclaimed Desperate Hoodwives and Shameless Hoodwives, The Hood Life as it does not read like a sequel.

Tavon, The Pimp, has made pimping a family business. Taking it to another level as his extravagant lifestyle remains a blend of his business and personal life. His balance is thrown for a tailspin with the unexpected arrival of a bundle of joy...a teen-aged bundle of joy. This leaves Tavon wondering, how does a pimp raise a teenage daughter?

Demarcus, The Killer, fresh from his stint in prison, is out to prove that he is a changed man. Determined to live right, Demarcus starts his day with prayer and hits the streets preaching to others from his Quran. Yet he still struggles to release the demons from his past life. Not able to find a job and tired of feeling like less than a man, the lure of fast, money is around every corner. Will a chance for one quick move to escape The Hood Life be stronger than the will to live a new life?

Kaseem, The Dealer, is fighting a battle of his own. Not your normal dealer, Kaseem finds himself challenged by those around him who want him to come hard. With the unexpected arrival of an infant son, and a baby momma strung out on crack, irony has come knocking on Kaseem's door. Will he leave the game before the game consumes him.

Rhakmon, The Playa, is a character in himself. Getting what he can from women is the name of his game. No woman is safe from his hustling, including his current girlfriend. Determined to use what he has to get what he wants, Rhakmon ask his girlfriend to make the ultimate sacrifice to save himself.You will not be disappointed with this book. It will have you gripping the pages as you watch the story unfold. Get ready to dive into the drama that is fitting of Bentley Manor.

You will be amazed at the lengths these men go through as they strive to live The Hood Life.

Reviewed by Lashonda
For Sexy Ebony Book Club Reviews

Move over ladies of Bentley Manor! The men have definitely taken over in The Hood Life by Meesah Mink and De'Nesha Diamond.

Tavon (the Pimp) was born to pimp if you let him tell it. As a child, he had to get up close and personal with the oldest profession in the book for survival. How else could he make sure his prostitute mother fed them when she got strung out on crack? So his career choice was a no-brainer, but when he is faced with being a father to a teenage girl, can his mind really stay on his Benjamins? Or will he be forced to retire his pimp cane and raise his little woman the right way?

Demarcus (the Killer) was a changed man when he was released from prison. He had his ride-or-die chick by his side and decided he would do right by her. But what happens when a convicted felon is faced with very few job options? How can he provide for his woman without swallowing his pride? With very few places to turn, the streets call for him. Will he answer? Or will he be able to overcome the temptation to engage in the behaviors that got him is first ten-year bid?

Kaseem (the Dealer) is not the average drug dealer. He lived a privileged life and never wanted for a thing. He is also the type of brother who does not believe violence has to be a part of the drug game, so he discourages violent acts from his crew. When tempers mount, Kaseem finds himself being drawn to the idea of leaving the fast life. And this urge to leave only worsens when he finds out he is the father of an infant son. Will he successfully leave? Or will he become another casualty of the game; making his son another statistic?

Rhakmon (the Playa) has a wicked sex game. So much so, he loves nothing more than using what he has to get what he needs. If that means sexing the neighborhood halitosis-ridden, alcoholic so he can take care of financial needs, he is all for it. When he finds himself in a situation that can lead to a prison sentence, his ride-or-die chick steps-up and plays her position. But how long can playas play without karma catching up to them?

The Hood Life is another explosive tale of the Bentley Manor chronicles. These four men personify the saying "go hard or go home." I was instantly taken into their stories and each of them was surprising and unpredictable. I read an unproofed advance review copy, and editing was still needed but the twists and turns were worth the distraction. The ending definitely leaves questions of the saga continuing though. My hope is that it will. If you are a fan of this series, you will not be disappointed. I recommend The Hood Life to all street-lit connoisseurs. But be warned. This book is not easy to put down so be prepared to read it in one sitting.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

Meesha and De'Nesha are back with a pimp, a playa, a killer, and a drug dealer...all major components in the hood, the ghetto, the projects, whichever is your description of choice. They introduce Tavon 'Sweet' Johnson, the infamous pimp that works his moneymakers on poles as well as private parties. He invests his income into lucrative sexually-based businesses. Sex is his business and his business is to sexually pleasure all who seek him and his Diamond trim out for their freakiest fantasies. Then we have the equally wealthy and business savvy Kaseem, who assumed the HNIC title when Maleek, the hoods' predecessor caught a bid and had to vacate the throne. Kaseem luxuriates in the perks with the job, but there's a longing for something other than this lifestyle. An unexpected package shows up with his ex-girl that broke his heart, but it only intensifies his determination to try a different path in life. But will the love of his life, Quilla, be willing to ride or die?

DeMarcus is an ex-gang banger finds forgiveness in Allah and is released from the prison system after 10 years of incarceration. His girlfriend Zoey's allegiance is empowering and reaffirms his commitment to remain legit. Being an ex-convict constantly assassinates any job opportunities for DeMarcus, and it destroys Zoey's career. He also battles a corrupt parole officer and the call of the old life. Rhakmon, the ladies man, hustles fake designer bags, sexes as many women as he can, and takes their money while getting inside their heads for his profit. This is his 'one' game plan. A night of frightening sexual egotism has placed Rhakmon in an awful position which he masterfully turns the table on his latest victim, Shaterica.

The Hood Life is the third installation to Meesha and De'Nesha's Hood series, and it is every bit as wild as the previous two. Of course 'the hood' wouldn't be the same without Ms. Cleo and Ms. Osceola on the front stoop getting it all and then some. This storyline varies as the authors explore another focal point with the story being from the male point of view. They touch on all aspects of these four characters storylines and have you once again rapidly reading from beginning to the very end and more than likely have to do a 'rerun' of another hit novel. The characters have a lot of dark sides which makes this a very different yet dangerously alluring read! Hot sex scenes, a bit of suspenseful and compassionate moments only further enchants the readers. Ms. Meesha Mink and Ms. De'Nesha Diamond are once again on point in their game and have mesmerized their fan base with challenging and mesmerizing stories of life in the hood! Wonderful job ladies!

Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye
for Urban Reviews

I read the first two books and loved them both so I had to get this one. It took me two days to read this book when it only took me a couple hrs to read the other two. I was very disappointed because it ran so slow and I got caught up trying to figure who was talking because of so much similaries. The stories were very reduntant and I would not recommend this book to a friend like I would the first two books.

Tavon, better known as "Sweet," would pimp his own mother -- and he does. Convinced that the prostitution game chose him, Sweet loves his high-rolling life. But when he unexpectedly becomes a father, Sweet does little to change his life style. still kept his transvestite lover and wife around. he did however stop shooting the porn flicks at his house. Sweet even got with his wife and male lover on a number occassions. his male lover just so happened to be his childhood friend who he started pimping his then girlfriend out to who later became his wife. although his daughter didn't have the best of examples to follow sweet did try to provide her with the best but what goes around comes around in more ways than one. be careful how you treat other people's daughter's because someone just might do yours the same way.

After ten years in prison, the drive-by Demarcus committed still haunts him. Determined to stay above the law, he's found Allah, promised to change his ways forever, and finally do right by his girl, Zoey. But when an opportunity arises that will set him and Zoey right for life, Demarcus may have more faith in his killah reputation than the Koran and acts upon his killer instincts. Zoey is a fool for even communicating with let alone taking back the man that tried to kill and spent time for that incident in jail. Zoey got a taste of what it was like to be nearly loved to death at the hands of her man again and even then she stood by him until she fate wouldn't allow her too no more.

Kaseem runs every single drug going in and out of Bentley Manor. His empire provides clothes, cash, and his satisfaction of his wifey, Quilla -along with the company of other ladies, of course. But when Kaseem's crew becomes more violent when they think he's punking out things he thought never would happen did.
He learned he had a son with his once girlfrined who was now a fiend that would do anything for a hit rather it was sleeping with boys as young as 12 to selling her own son which is exactly what she did. good thing she sold him to his father. once Kaseem felt the love that having his own seed in the world feels like, he vowed to get out the game and provide a better life for his son the legal way and do whatever he had to do to shield him from the life he led. Kaseem never lived in bently Manor but the pull of the life had him there front and center. but remember what he did to his firend's girl in the first installment by snitching her out for prostituting to keep her lifestyle as it was when her man was out...karma is a byotch!

The best playa on the block, Rhakmon can get a woman to do anything he wants. His latest girlfriend, Shaterica, lets him steal, lie, and cheat to keep him happy. She even took a murder charge for him that had her facing 10 years. After he pulled off the playa move of the century he lost sheterica's place ending all communications. Once he ran out of money he even started sleeping with the withered up freak next door to where Sheterica lived just to have a roof over his head. like most women with low self esteem she welcomed him with open arms after all the times he cussedher out looked at her sideways and treated her like dirt but she and shertwerica got he last laugh while Rhakmon got the last scream.

From the ladies who brought you Desperate Hoodwives and Shameless Hoodwives, they can bring it some more. loved these stories. they were fast paced and interesting always ending with a twist!

I have truly enjoyed Part 3 of the Bentley Manor series. It's one of those book you can't book down until you reached the last page. Even though Part 1 and 2 were my favorites, I still was not disappointed at all.

Cleo and Ophelia have lived in the hood, the Bentley Manor Housing Project in Georgia for over four decades. They know there are many good residents trying to make an honest dollar and there are criminals who seek easy cash. The pair watches the neighborhood activities and at times intervenes.

Tavon "Sweet" Johnson is an amoral upscale pimp who has escaped the hood by selling sex at his clubs and at hi crib. However his idyll affluent life is shook to the core when a former girlfriend dumps at his mother's house a fifteen year old girl that she insists is his daughter. Sweet takes his offspring to his mansion where his wife Renee makes it clear the teen is unwanted.

Demarcus has just gotten out of prison and is haunted by his crime and needing to adhere to the Koran wants to go straight, but no one wants anything to do with an ex-con. With his girlfriend Zoey pregnant, he is offered a job that will take them out of the hood if he is not caught.

Kaseem runs drugs in the hood, but when his crackhead former girlfriend gives him his infant son to raise, he wants out of trafficking and Bentley Manor. A betrayal by his best friend forces him to react in a way that if caught he will spend his life behind bars.

Rhakmon is the smoothest playa in the hood. He can sell anything especially himself to any woman. When he kills someone he promises his girlfriend, Shaterica they will marry if she confesses to having committed the homicide. She does time while he does other women. Cleo and Ophelia deploy to clean up this scenario.

Living in the hood is not easy, but people have choices although sometimes the options are painful. The men select crime to include murder, pimping, drug peddling and more until revelations (mostly the next generation) makes each of them reconsider what they have done as others pay the price for their folly. As with DESPERATE HOODWIVES and SHAMELESS HOODWIVES, the return to THE HOOD brings out the worst and best of Atlanta with an overarching message of hope.

Harriet Klausner

Really, I finished this novel quicker than I did the other two that came before it! Meet the Pimp, the Playa, the Dealer & the Killer. All members of the Bentley Manor sect but unbeknownst to each other, they all had something to say about their lives, past and present, and they each brought out emotion as to why they became who they are. You didn't have to accept or agree, but their stories were honest and riveting and the endings of our cast members definitely made that old saying, "Live by the sword, die by the sword", truer than most that could be applied. Love it!!

I ENJOYED HOODLIFE.....THE STORIES THAT WERE TOLD WERE SO LIFE LIKE AND ANYONE WHO HAS GROWN UP IN THE HOOD CAN RELATE. AS I GOT DEEPER INTO THE STORIES ON EACH OF THE CHARACTERS BEFORE I KNEW IT THERE WAS A TWIST!! GREAT SURPRISES AT THE END OF EACH STORY BEING TOLD. I LOVED IT! DE'NESHA DIAMOND AND MEESHA MINK DID A EXCELLENT JOB!! IT'S A GREAT BOOK THAT WILL DRAW YOU IN AND KEEP YOUR ATTENTION!!

It was a good read.. the men had things up there sleeve just like the women of Bently Manor