Sticks and Stones (Urban Renaissance) [Paperback]

Eric Pete (Author)

Book Description

Series: Urban Renaissance | Publication Date: February 1, 2009

Ten years. A decade. Time enough for a high school graduate from a small, sleepy southern town to move on and become something. But what? And is it enough time to forget? Trayce, an internet entrepreneur, has moved on. Chicago is where she dwells, where she has been hired to manage the very company she founded. Is ten years enough time to heal the emotional scars she's suffered? Scars inflicted from student and teacher alike.
Solomon, a drugstore manager, never moved away. The quiet boy nobody remembers was there for it all and knows all their secrets. After ten disappointing and unfulfilled years, can he put his life on track now and make himself heard?
Janet, the former head cheerleader and homecoming queen, fell from grace following graduation. Las Vegas, which she now calls home, is where she has used her beauty and reinvented herself as an exotic dancer. Is ten years enough time to get over being jilted by the love of her life. If you know Janet, she will find out.
Karim, the handsome and successful New York music video director who is on everyone's lips, wasn't always like that. Ten years ago he was bullied and ridiculed by The Crew, the most popular clique in school. How will they react to him now? In particular, how will one member of this clique react to him?
When summoned to their ten-year class reunion, how will these four handle it? And what are their motives? Friendships will begin. Friendships will end. Trusts will be broken and secrets revealed. And after ten years, we'll find that...sticks and stones may break your bones, but there are worse things

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eric Pete is an Essence bestselling novelist whose previous works include Someone's In the Kitchen, Gets No Love, Don't Get It Twisted, Lady Sings the Cruels, and Blow Your Mind. He has also written short stories for the anthologies After Hours, Twilight Moods and On The Line. He lives in Houston, Texas, with his family. His website is ericpete.com. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Urban Books; Original edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601621469
• ISBN-13: 978-1601621467
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,685,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Pete is an award winning novelist. His published works include: Real for Me, Someone's In the Kitchen, Gets No Love, the national bestseller Don't Get It Twisted, Lady Sings the Cruels, Blow Your Mind, Sticks and Stones, Reality Check, Crushed Ice and Piano In the Dark. He has also contributed to the anthologies After Hours, Twilight Moods and On The Line. His upcoming solo novel, Frostbite, and collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Carl Weber, The Family Business, are both scheduled for release in early 2012.

Born in Seattle where he developed his passion for reading and knowledge, he relocated "back home" with his mother to Louisiana where he attended high school and college.

He is a U.S. Army veteran and member of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity.

A graduate of McNeese State University, he currently lives with his family in Texas where he is working on his next novel.

For more information, visit his website: www.ericpete.com, his Facebook fan page or visit him on Twitter @IAmEricPete.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth will come out eventually!, June 14, 2009

By 

LOCKSIE "ARC Book Club Inc" (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Coram, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sticks and Stones (Urban Renaissance) (Paperback)

The emotions run wild when four former students of Marion High School, each receive invitations to attend the school's ten year class reunion.

Janet the former cheerleader and a member of the school's most popular crew; is now an exotic dancer whom only has one question to ask..."Why?" A question that has been haunting Janet since graduation; will her ex high school sweetheart give her a "Straight" answer?

Solomon a drug store manager is not happy with his life and now finds himself without a job. In high school he was Mr. Invisible; no-one is going to remember him. But Solomon has a great memory and is about to assert himself to get what he wants and help bring out few shocking secrets!

Trayce is doing well for herself; being featured in many entrepreneur magazines has brought in the dough and put her business on the map. But still Trayce remembers ten years ago...the humiliation she suffered in high school has her paying a therapist to help her move on.

Karim is the genius behind some of today's hottest music videos but ten years ago he was the smart kid who got beat-up everyday. Back then only one girl stood up for him and this "beautiful angel" still haunts his dreams...

All four of these former high school students have reservations about going to the reunion.
Will going to the high school reunion help these four move on...or will it bring out the their worse fears!!!

If you're looking for a good solid read then "Sticks and Stones" should be your reading choice. This story showcased characters that at first appeared to have moved on in their current lives, but as the story unfolds it seems the past sometimes holds the key to unlock buried resentments or happiness.

Locksie

ARC Book Club Inc.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Reunion, March 2, 2009

By 

Angelia Menchan "acvermen.blogspot.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sticks and Stones (Urban Renaissance) (Paperback)

Sticks and Stones by Eric Pete is the quintessential reunion book. Ten years removed from graduation, the class members are caught up in a variety of situations and different levels of success. Tracy, an internet entrepreneur, is doing very well financially but, is in deep emotional turmoil from past incidents. Initially, she does not wish to attend the reunion, but after deciding to attend, the question becomes, will attending free her or further bind her to past demons?

Karim, the class brain and nerd, is now the go-to video producer. He was once a red-headed, punching bag for some of his classmates, but now that he is returning as, `The Man', they had better not bring any drama. And, for what or whom is he really returning for?
Janet only wanted to be a wife to Shaw and the mother of his children. But after being dumped by him, she moves to Las Vegas to reinvent herself. Returning to the reunion will give her a chance to see Shaw again and find out why he did not want her. However, the truth may be more than she can handle.

Quiet Solomon has settled into a life he did not necessarily want. He has a vindictive ex-wife and kids who he would love to gain custody of. However, he knows he can not gain custody until he is better prepared financially. And considering he was just fired from his job, he is nowhere near being prepared. However, he decides to attend the reunion, with an ulterior motive in mind. Will it work or will all his plans change?

Mr. Pete has written a timely, well-paced novel that explores the dreams, expectations and pain of one high school class. He also writes about how people are always impacted by past situations and choices. I recommend this contemporary novel to all readers looking for a really good book this spring and summer.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

3.0 out of 5 stars predictable, October 16, 2010

By 

latoya - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sticks and Stones (Urban Renaissance) (Paperback)

from the back cover i thought wow this book is gonna be good and it's gonna be some crazy twist in the story but sadly it wasnt i pretty much figured out the whole book half way through. it was still a good read i just wouldnt pay for it again