Dollar Bill

by Joylynn Jossel

Dollar is one of those bad guys readers end up hating to love. From the killing grounds of Gary, Indiana, Dollar goes from a small pup just living and learning to a big dawg learning to live. Dollar decides against joining the typical Ballers out on the streets hustling drugs to make a come up. After carefully critiquing the game, Dollar chooses a more concrete type of hustle, straight out robbin' folks. Dollar catches as case at the ripe age of 18 on the first of many planned hustles that he thought would lead him to the good life. The case resulted in Dollar being sentenced to live out the rest of his natural life behind bars. When Dollar encounters Romeo, the hardest cat in prison, he realizes that prison life exists six feet under hell. Romeo takes Dollar's mind on a manipulating roller coaster ride, which almost pushes him to the brink of insanity. In the beginning Romeo instills the fear of death in Dollar, but in the end he gives him life. When the state sentenced Dollar they never expected the affect it would have on the new life he would eventually lead. They never imagined that he would some day walk the streets again and perfect his game. Back on the street, Dollar manages to drag everyone in his life who means anything to him into his deadly game. His bid in prison taught him one important thing that he would now apply to his hustle, how not to get caught! These shocking twists are only the beginning of the many that fill the pages of this profound urban novel. Bury your mind in this story as it reveals the true rules of a hustle as the true rules of love, deception and betrayal unravel. It's not a love story. It's not a just a street story. Dollar Bill is what it is...the best told urban tale. Expect the unexpected!

286 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jake Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen this book at my local Dollar Tree for well over a year. The moment I saw it I thought "Wow, this looks like a book Dad would read." He loved buying books from Dollar Tree. In fact, his entire personal library solely consisted of D Tree pick ups. I don't know if they were well written, or easy to read, or if he just liked the price, but he'd have a new one each week

Every time I'd see Dollar Bill I'd smile and think of Dad. Then, curiosity got the best of me. I'd make a D Tree run, come across the book, pick it up, read the back, come close to putting it in my basket and then think "Nah, I have enough in my unread list," and then put it back.

Upon my last Dollar Tree run I noticed there was only one copy of Dollar Bill left. I came to the conclusion that if I didn't read it, I'd regret it. I had spent all this time acknowledging its existence. I just had to know how Dollar Bill's story played out.

It ended up being better than I had expected. A romantic mystery with an edge. Characters are well- rounded enough that I actually started to empathize with them. I was right. Dad would have loved this book. And I think that's what made me the happiest to read it.

Easy read, would recommend as something to cleanse the palate after a more challenging read.

[Adrienna]

Since I enjoy the author's latest work as Urban Christian fiction writer, I went back to her past work. I will not rate since I no longer read Street lit and not my cup of tea; yet just wanted to see her previous literature. (I couldn't complete fully either).

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

was a really interesting read

[Punkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

the ending was crazy

[tatyana o · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it at all.

[Tameka Manns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and it was the bomb.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay. The story missed chemistry between the characters. All proclamations of being boys or love rang hollow no matter who delivered them. There was no connection between Dollar and any of those in his life. The book is almost over and they are talking about Dollar needing to prepare for this next big "lick" and I couldn't tell you what that was until he mentioned it again. Hennessy was transparent. The only thing that was not transparent was the revelation of her personal life. Dollar was just written as a dumb character. Tommy coming thru for Dollar was an interesting twist. This story just didn't have that "oomph" factor until the last 5 minutes. ...sad