Customer Reviews

Money Power Respect

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In MONEY POWER RESPECT by Erick S. Gray, we meet Ricky Johnson, a young man who has been hustling since he was a teenager. Practically raising himself because his mother abandons him and his father is always working, Ricky turns to the one place he feels at home, the streets. He is taken under the wing of one of the most notorious and feared hustlers in the city, Fat Tony. Being on Fat Tony's team automatically gains you respect with other young hustlers, you are not to be messed with and feared by many. Ricky is living the life, he is 13 years old and has the best money can buy.

Unfortunately Ricky gets caught hustling and has to do time in jail. During his time away, the only person that takes the time to visit him is one of his high school teachers, who sees potential in Ricky that he doesn't see in himself. He promises Ricky that if he straightens himself up and works on his GED he will do all he can to get him in college and on the right track. All he has to do is leave the fast life behind and live life on the straight and narrow. He opts to give the straight and narrow a try, after all, he is locked up in jail and currently has nothing but time on his hands. Will he continue on the right path and make Mr. Jenkins proud? Or will the streets call his name so loudly, he has no choice but to answer?

MONEY POWER RESPECT is a true-to-life novel. It shed light on how easy it is to get caught up in a life of crime and how difficult it is to do what's right. Although this is an urban fiction novel and profanity is expected, it was a bit distracting in this book. At times it took away from the story and I felt it was a bit overused. The writing, editing and character development were all on point. Overall this was an enjoyable, heartfelt read that showed the struggles and pressures of living in an environment surrounded by crime. It showed how the choices you make can change your life from bad to worse and how only the strong will survive.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

In this fast moving novel Erick Gray introduces you to Ricky Johnson. Ricky his to make the right choices in this game. Ricky befriends Kinko a well known bad boy. Kinko is not all what he's cracked up to be. But the question is what said of the game is Kinko playing. When Ricky is just finding his place in the game he has to make a trip to the state prison to do a bid. When Ricky comes home he has the choice to do right and he dose until Kinko jumps in his ear telling him to do wrong. But the choice is Ricky's will he make the right or wrong one.

I enjoyed this novel. It had me on the edge of my seat. It left me wanting more. I am waiting on the sequel. If you have read any of Erick Gray's pervious novels then let me tell you his writing has only gotten better and more street. This novel is a must read.

This was a fast paced story. The plot thickened with each scene. Ricky was a well-rounded character, which made it easy to get attached. Be prepared for a few surprises.

Eric Gray's story is one of many Black men's dilemna in America today in the voice of a young man named Ricky. Abandoned by his mother, his father tries to be there, but 13 yr. old Ricky needs some direction in his life. Of course the streets are there to foster him and quickly entice & entangle him in the falsehood of lies, deceit, money and mayhem.

"Young" Ricky gets caught out there living it up. Life was sweet... with cash overflowing and flossing for his public to see, only to wind up behind bars for 4 years.

With the help of a high-school teacher mentor who cares for Ricky as his own son, Ricky squares up. Ricky meets an attractive, "wholesome" young lady in his life, while walking the straight and narrow encouraging him to remind on this new track in his life. He tries to remind faithful to the square-bid... goes to college; gets & maintains honor roll; but when his father dies...that's it! The torment of the death of his dad and Ricky's struggle to have some cash in his pockets to be big dawg again, the streets are calling...well... he is sucked right back into to the hustle through the guise of his shady friend Kinko.

Everything is butter for awhile - and then the streets decide to cash in on Ricky's "happiness". Can Ricky square-up again and make it? Is the love of his woman and his male mentor strong enough to pull him back???..... AND keep him??

Eric Gray depicts the affliction and mental crucification that Black men face everyday, yielding to the streets only to further sink deeper into self persecution.

Eric Gray has a shock for the readers in his ending. He.....well, I won't tell...get the book! IT'S WORTH IT!

This book was the bomb. Erick you definitely did your thing on this and I could not put it down. To all of you guys this book is definitely a page turner and will not disappoint you!! Ricky is a young guy out here trying to fulfill everyman's fantasy...being rich and famous by hustling. Soon everything gets turned upside down and that is all I will tell you guys because believe me you will want to read it yourself. Go cop this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Young Ricky got sucked into street life at the tender age of 13 already working as a look-out for one of the biggest hustlers in Queens. By 16 Ricky is living large, phat pockets, fly ride and being able to pull any honey he wants. Ricky is paid, cocky and thinks that money rules the world.

It takes an untimely incarceration to teach Ricky exactly who has his back. And to his surprise it's his high school teacher Mr. Jenkins who steps in to support him while he's behind bars. Upon his release from prison Ricky enrolls in college meets a good girl and attempts to keep the promises he made to Mr. Jenkins.

But even a 3.5 GPA and the love of a good woman can't replace the feeling of money in your pocket. So Ricky decides to hook up with his ex partner in crime Kinko. But just how far is Ricky willing to go get that almighty dollar???

Readers will find out this and more while watching Ricky struggle with his need to be on top. This book is a must read for teen age males struggling to deal with the pressures of today's materialistic society.

this book was off the hook read it in one day !!!

Here's a book that read much longer than it really was. By the time I got to page 150, I felt like I had been reading it forever. But make no mistake, this author knows exactly how to pen a novel that I anticipate what the next page will read. With his picture perfect dialogue, Erick S Gray has obvious street credibility and is a master at displaying it in this twisted tale of drugs, prison, sex, violence, deception, murder, and mayhem along with the consequences brought on by the desire of money, power, and respect in the ruthless streets where there is often no escape. You can't help but want the best for Ricky and hope that the angel on his shoulders, Mr. Jenkins can save him from not only Kinko but himself.

I'm starting to feel Eric Gray's stories. This one was definitely a good read. Classic case of how Black men like myself see what the good and glamorous things money can bring you but then there is the evil side of the money. I was hoping ricky wouldn't fall in the trap but there wouldn't be a story if he didn't . I think he learned his lesson too late. Book was good

This book is a winner and a tell tale if you live by the sword you die by the sword.