Trouble & Triumph: A Novel of Power & Beauty [Hardcover]

Tip "T.I." Harris (Author), David Ritz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 18, 2012

Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, producer, and actor T.I. proved himself a powerful storyteller as well with the publication of his debut novel Power & Beauty. Now he follows up with his second riveting street-lit epic, Trouble & Triumph.

T.I.’s explosive sequel picks up the story of Paul “Power” Clay and Tanya “Beauty” Long, as Power takes over his mentor-turned-arch-enemy’s street empire, looking to turn it legit, while Beauty rises ever-higher in a glamorous world of fashion and celebrity. An authentic voice of the street, in the vein of Sistah Souljah and other successful authors of contemporary African-American commercial fiction, T.I. is a rap music legend who has lived at every strata of society, and whose hard life experience adds truth and fire to Trouble & Triumph.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, music producer, and actor T.I. and his bestselling celebrity collaborator, David Ritz, continue the explosive story of Power and Beauty that began in the street-lit epic Power & Beauty.

When his mother, Charlotte, was killed, Paul “Power” Clay and his closest friend, Tanya “Beauty” Long, fell under the spell of a savvy and ruthless Atlanta businessman named Slim, who promised to protect them.

Wise beyond her years, Beauty always knew that the only person she could rely on was herself. It didn’t take long for the levelheaded young woman to recognize the simmering violence beneath Slim’s street charm. But getting away from him wasn’t easy, and it came at a heartbreaking price: turning her back on Power. Escaping to the glamorous catwalks of the Big Apple, she’s worked her breathtaking good looks and quick wit to build a thriving fashion business. Despite her success, she’s still haunted by the pain of leaving Power behind. Money and new men cannot erase the memory of the true love she denied.

To Power, Slim’s world held everything he thought he wanted: women, wealth, power, authority. He discovered too late that Slim Simmons isn’t just a businessman—he’s a ruthless killer who will turn on anyone he thinks is getting in his way. He is the monster who murdered Charlotte. Now, he controls the fate of her only son.

But neither Slim nor Power count on Beauty. Like Slim, she is a master who will manipulate, seduce, and sacrifice to get what she wants. She’s never let anything stop her from fulfilling her desires, and she will broker a dangerous bargain to save the only man she’s ever loved. But is saving Power worth sacrificing herself—body and soul? Will his youthful ambitions lead him to redemption—or deeper into the darkness? Will they bothbecome everything they swore they’d never be?

A tale of gangstas and sistas, money masters and politicians, that moves across the globe from Paris to New York, Atlanta to Tokyo, the Caribbean to California, Trouble & Triumph is a hip-hop mash-up of loyalty, betrayal, revenge, desire, greed, family, politics, and absolution—and of two unforgettable young star-crossed lovers from the streets who will risk everything for their dreams . . . and for each other.

About the Author

TIP “T.I.” HARRIS is a Grammy Award–winning rapper, film and music producer, actor, and writer. He is the founder and co–chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records, and he launched his film company, Grand Hustle Films, in 2007. He and his wife, Tiny, star in the hit VH1 reality show T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle, and are involved in charities and community outreach involving children and those suffering with Alzheimer’s. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

DAVID RITZ is the author of the acclaimed novels The Man Who Brought the Dodgers Back to Brooklyn and Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat. He is the only four-time winner of the Gleason Book of the Year Award. He’s co-written the memoirs of many celebrities, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Grandmaster Flash, and a New York Times review named him “the first-call celebrity collaborator.”

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1St Edition edition (September 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062067680
• ISBN-13: 978-0062067685
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Power & Beauty 2 September 24, 2012

By Jadiiewadey

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time reading it I was ready for the demise of Slim. It seems as if the book was well written until the end. I felt like they rushed the end rather than going step by step about what was going on or creating it to be more of a thriller rather than how it was written. Needless to say it's a good book and a good sequel but I'm unsure of whether there will be a 3rd book or if this was the end.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars mad about the ending September 19, 2012

By Joya Webster

Format:Kindle Edition

I loved the first book and this book...except for the ending! The ending seemed rushed...still a wonderful book! I will definitely keep reading books by Ritz and Tip! There has to be more...it can‘t end here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE IT!!!!! September 19, 2012

By Cinthia C.

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

EVERY ONE HAVE TO READ THIS NOVEL... IS WONDERFULLLLLLLLLL!!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO!!! WHEN YOU START TO READ IT YOU CANNOT STOP... YOU JUST WANT TO FINISH THE BOOK...