Stripped [Paperback]

Jacki Simmons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2006

FROM THE DESK OF JACKI SIMMONS: PROLOGUE © 2005 Trina ain’t hardly the baddest bitch. Trust me, the diamond princess ain’t have a damn thing on La Perla. She, no matter how many songs she writes, will never be me. She claims that shit; I lived that shit. And then some. Furs kept me warm. Diamonds weighed me down. My ass got permanent jet lag from all the trips I was taking. Parking lot full of cars, safe full of money, cabinets full of liquor. The finest men in the world beat my door down trying to get a taste. All I had to do was smile to get whatever I wanted. I can still smell the blaze they used to hit with me; the champagne that flowed for me is still on my lips. I’m still smiling thinking about how fun those parties were. I had been a good girl my whole life, and when I finally broke out of my shell, I was ready to give ’em hell. They say life has a way of making you live it. No truer words have ever been spoken. At the peak, at the very top, the height of my fame, something happened. It’s called life. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it went and got worse. I don’t blame anyone else but myself. Too busy ballin’ outta control to notice what was going on with the real world. I thought I was slick, thought I could outsmart life, but the Good Lord looked me in the eye and like Biggie, said, “You dead wrong.” By the time my high came down, I was out of it, left and right. The queen had to give up her crown and go back to stomping grapes with the rest of the kingdom. I’ve come a long way in the past few months. No doubt I’ve still got a long way to go. I’ll never get over it but I can try and move on. I’ve buried my demons and made peace with my past. If anyone didn’t like it, they can kiss my honey-brown ass. I’m not proud of any of it. But I did what I had to do to survive. I heard a funny statement the other day. Something like, “It’s a cold world out there, and if you ain’t under the umbrella, you gonna get rained on.” Lord knows I was soakin’ wet.

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About the Author

Being born in the Bronx and raised in Harlem, one is never at a loss for inspiration. It can be found on every corner, in every bodega and in every person. Jacki Simmons knew this and harnessed her love for writing while she was still young. Her first short story complete at eleven and her first novel complete at sixteen, she has always had a love of literature. At thirteen, she won a school wide essay contest and the chance to speak before greats such as Ossie Davis and Rosa Guy at the Schomburg Library in Harlem. They encouraged her to continue doing what she loved best, and she took their advice.

All through high school she dazzled her teachers with the ability to stay at the head of her English class with her creative stories using various characters and situations. It was those words that encouraged her to continue writing. She spent her free time writing her first novel and it was finished just before her seventeenth birthday.

After a serious accident almost claimed her life in early 2005, Jacki was left discouraged. She abandoned her writing for nearly six months before a friend read something she had left to the side. It started out as a short story and blossomed into her second novel, Stripped. They loved it and suggested she try to get it published. The idea seemed a good one and Jacki went about the business of shopping around. After many setbacks and much time, the deal fell through and she left the company. With the love and support of her family a few close friends, she didn't give up though, only allowing her setbacks to push her further forward.

Four months later, Jacki stumbled onto the doorstep of Crystal Lacey Winslow and Melodrama Publishing. Within three weeks, she was offered a contract and the rest, as they say, is history! Residing with her family in Harlem, Jacki looks forward to her impending release and anticipates many more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Melodrama Publishing (November 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934157007
• ISBN-13: 978-1934157008
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,644,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mskiki425, December 3, 2006

By 

MSKIKI425 "Real Divas of Literature Online Bo... (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stripped (Paperback)

CAIZA BELL WAS A YOUNG LADY WHO HAD IT ALL! A RICH FIANCEE, A SECURE JOB OF THREE YEARS, AND EVERYTHING HER HEART DESIRES. SUDDENLY EVERYTHING FALLS APART AFTER SHE CATCHES HER FIANCEE CHEATING. SHE LEAVES HIM AND FOR ONCE IS IN THE WORLD ON HER OWN. REFUSING TO GO HOME TO HER MOM, CAIZA STRUGGLES TO KEEP HER HEAD ABOVE WATER. IF LOSING HER LIFE SUPPORT WASNT ENOUGH, SHE LOSES HER JOB AS WELL. TAKING ON NUMEROUS JOBS THAT BARELY KEEP HER AND HER DOG FED, SHE IS FACED WITH A EVICTION NOTICE. WITH HER BACK AGAINST THE WALL, SHE TURNS TO STRIPPING. SHE IS OPEN TO A WORLD SHE WAS NEVER ACCUSTOMED TO. THIS NOVEL KEEP A GOOD PACE FILLED WITH ENOUGH DRAMA TO KEEP YOU LOCKED INTO THIS PAGE TURNER.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exposed, November 9, 2006

By 

Ms Toni "Readinista Extraordinaire" (Midwest - USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Stripped (Paperback)

Caiza was living in the lap of luxury. A college student working at a law firm and living with her fiance Jacey, her money was hers and his money was hers. That is until unfortunate circumstances "stripped" her of it all. She never thought the day would come that she'd be manless, jobless and homeless. Caiza quickly rebounded but could never really make ends meet. Robbing Peter to pay Paul just wasn't cutting it. Determined not to ask others for help financially, she makes the ultimate decision to bare it all at the House of Sin. In baring it all, Caiza unknowingly opens herself to murder, greed and mayhem. Will she see the error in her ways before she is stripped of it all, including her life?

Stripped made for a very quick, easy and enjoyable read. Nice pace and just enough drama to carry readers along without going over the top. The ending however, wrapped up quickly, a little too quickly. As the pages dwindled, I honestly thought that the author was going to leave readers with a cliff hanger to be continued in a sequel. I would have also liked for the mystery/suspense elements to have been explored a little more. Overall, Jacki Simmons nicely introduces herself to the literary world in this promising debut novel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Talk !!, December 4, 2006

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

This review is from: Stripped (Paperback)

Caiza Bell is a young law firm secretary and business school student. She was living the glamorous life while living with her fiancé Jacey and didn't have to worry about things like bills and money. Caiza's world comes crashing down on her when a stupid mistake forces her into a life of poverty and an eviction notice. Caiza turns to her best friend Myeshia to help her get out of this financial turmoil. Myeshia introduces Caiza into the seedy but lucrative world of stripping at The House of Sin. Caiza quickly becomes the star of the club and gets more money lavish gifts than she ever expected. But all that glitters isn't gold and Caiza soon finds out that all of this money and new found fame comes with price...a price that could be deadly.

Stripped is an exciting debut novel by Jacki Simmons. Simmons gave us an engaging story about a young woman's struggle to survive by any means necessary. I loved the realistic storyline. I really saw how fast Caiza had to grow up after she's forced to be out on her own. There were also good supporting characters like Caiza's best friend Myeshia that made this story soar. Stripped is fast-paced and entertaining. This is a wonderful start to Jacki Simmons' career.