Download Drama

Kenisha Lewis #4

by Celeste O. Norfleet

Some people stand back when problems crop up. Kenisha Lewis steps up. And there's a lot that needs fixing, from her family's money worries to the run-down dance studio where she works part-time.When the promo she makes for a dance studio fundraiser goes viral, Kenisha can't believe the response. Who'd have guessed she'd become the latest YouTube sensation—or be asked to star in a video with rapper Taj? And now, Taj wants Kenisha to become her protégée, promising money and fame. Problems solved, right? Not quite. Her exciting new career is taking time away from school, family, friends and her boyfriend, Terrence.… Kenisha is sure she's this close to having what she's always wanted. But how much is she willing to give up to get it?

Genres: Drama, Contemporary

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

National best-selling author, Celeste O. Norfleet, was a late bloomer to romance. But as soon as she picked up her first romance novel, she was hooked. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Celeste is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. An art director and graphic designer for many years, Celeste now devotes all of her time to writing and creating romance letting her artistic imagination flow through the computer keys. Her romance novels, realistic with a touch of humor, depict strong sexy characters with unpredictable plots and exciting storylines. Her young adult novels delve into dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing African-American teens. Celeste currently writes for Harlequin's Kimani Press Arabesque, Kimani Romance and Kimani Press TRU (young adult) lines. Celeste lives in Virginia with her husband and two teenagers.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come soon. I think this rating might be more of a reflection that I started reading this series right in the middle, so there are certain details that were lost on me that I didn't appreciate as much as someone who's been following this from the very beginning. Kenisha had a strong voice that stuck with me, though, and I would certainly read more from this series.

(Argh, I feel so guilty that I got this as a galley so long ago and I'm just finished reading it now!)

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Download Drama (Updated)
Kenisha decides to skip her last two classes and heads out. Kenisha immediately feels freedom and then tells us there’s more to come. Her grandmother will be visiting her sister in Georgia for a week in some hours. Her dad calls. She lets it roll to voice. Kenisha heads to her grandmothers, changes into her dance clothes, and then heads for Freeman’s.

Lil T stops her and proudly shows off his new IPAD-that isn’t supposed to be out for 8 months-. It’s already loaded with apps-that include video editing and sending videos to FB and YT. Lil T says he’s gonna use it for his new business. This week he wants to be a filmmaker. Kenisha notices he has a bruise and a puffy eye. Lil T says it’s nothing, but Kenisha knows he got beat up. When they walk past Darrien’s house and he comes out, Kenisha finds out he’s out on a technicality. They said it had something to do with what the cops did when they arrested him and not having cause to search his house. He stares at Kenisha and then smiles before answering his phone.

Lil T makes it known he’s a punk and someone should take care of him permanently. They say goodbye when they get to Freeman’s cuz Kenisha won’t let him stick around. Kenisha speaks to the director (Ms. Jay) and asks if she can use a private studio upstairs but she’s told there’s water damage and she just doesn’t have the money. She’s thinking about closing Freeman’s.
She hands Kenisha the keys and says she can use the auditorium for today. Kenisha suggests a fundraiser and volunteers her and her girls to help. Ms. Jay likes the idea and says she’ll think on it. This is worth noting. Kenisha not only can dance a variety of styles (jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop). She can all arrange her own tracks and rap (and sing). As well as she can choreograph.

Kenisha is startled when at the end of her set, she gets wild applause. Lil’ T has snuck in and is in the back row. He tells her he’s gonna make her famous and put her on YT. She blows him off like whatever. Kenisha practices until her legs start to tighten. Someone is in the back row again and starts to applaud. At first, she thinks it’s Lil T again but when they walk out she realizes it’s not.
Kenisha finds out from Jade the hospital bills were their mothers. She sees Ursula but because she doesn’t know how she feels about her -and if she was the one in her house with Darrien- she avoids her. But she finds her in one of the studios and tells her she’s taking a hip-hop class. She mentions Darrien is back and someone should get rid of him permanently. She mentions a party but Kenisha says T will be home. It’s a half-truth. Tee did mention he’d come but he said that last weekend. He hasn’t been around a lot since Gaia (his ex) returned.

Before she leaves, Ms. Jay asks if she can teach the beginning hip-hop class. One of her instructors is out. After class, Kenisha stops to talk to a girl named Hannah -that’s 10 and has a little too much attitude-. She’s waiting for her brother who turns out to be Troy. Ms. Jay is so impressed that she asks Kenisha would she like to be a student teacher. She says she’ll be paid and she’ll work after school and weekends. On the way home, Kenisha sees Darien on the phone pissed about something to do with money. Then he looks at her angrily. Troy pulls up and offers her a ride home but she turns him down. When Kenisha tells her friends about her news there’s silence and Kenisha interprets this as they don’t think she’s good enough and hangs up on them.

Troy hits her up on messenger and the conversation is about Kenisha maybe liking Troy more than she admits too and him openly liking her and saying they’re one in the same. Then Terrance hits her up. He’ll be going to a frat party. He invites her to it. Then she tells him about her news. Kenisha finally accepts her friends calls. Diamond says their problem is they promised to do everything with dance together. Kenisha says she gets it but she was just there. Plus, she needs the money after the pizza place, but it migh be just temporary. She tells them about Ms. Jay’s decision and her suggestion. Then they start making plans. In class, Lil “T” sends Kenisha a text, and an attachment but she doesn’t pay it any attention. Then there’s the announcement of a new student Neeka Reynolds. Kenisha recognizes her from Hazelhurst.

They talk after class and make plans to meet at lunch. She tells her she saw her on YT and she is GOOD! But she’s interrupted by Mrs. Grayson. Jalissa and Diamond also send her texts about it. Then she opens Tee’s attachment and sees why (thinking she’s gonna kill him). At lunch, Kenesha finds out Meeka got kicked out for fighting and that she considers Penna good school. Ursula joins them and says it must be an epidemic, another girl transferred from Hazelhurt. Meek says wouldn’t it be funny if it was Regan. Kenisha says no it wouldn’t.

Then Troy joins them, asks if she’s gonna answer her question, and then gets up and walks away-causing a lot of conversation afterwards-. When Lil “T” finally gets back with Kenisha, she immediately tells him to take the video down. Kenneth shows up and demands Kenisha pack her bags and stay with him while her grandmother is gone. Then her grandmother comes out and they get into it. She goes SLAP off on him and talk gets into Barbara’s death. During the fight, Kenneth says he now wants to take care of Kenisha and her grandmother asks how he’s gonna do that with his family in Maryland and Virginia. Neither Jade, her grandmother, or her father give her any answers about this other family. He says it’s ok for her to stay there with Jade but he’ll let her know she’s grounded and has a curfew. She asks her grandmother about it but she says ask him and then changes the subject.

She asks about the pills her mother was taking. Her grandmother says it’s ok she’s at rest. Kenisha says she needs to know and her grandmother is about to answer but is interrupted by neighbors. At the studio while helping Hannah (who asks if she likes her brother. He likes her. Kenisha says she has a boyfriend) out with a routine, she asks her to her birthday party. (T keeps making excuses about taking the video down. Jalissa and Diamond are all hyped up over the video. While Kenisha and her friends are at a pizza joint, Darien comes in and tells Kenisha they have unfinished business. Kenisha quickly gets out of there.

Taj shows up at the frat party looking stank and gets all up on Terrance. After the show, she tries to make a play for him but he introduces him to his girl. She ignores it and gives him her number. He gives it to Kenisha. After this, they go to a food place and Taj comes in and sits right next to Terrance. She tries to invite him to LA but he just ignores her. Kenisha says she’s ready to leave. Terrance has to sit Kenisha down and tell her she’s his girl

Her father grounds her for coming in late. She realizes Courtney set this up. If her dad is mad at her, Courtney can get what she wants out of him. Kenisha decides to take matters into her own hands and asks Jalissa to ask her sister what the pills are for and she copies all the files off her dad’s laptop. Kenisha sees the name Reeva Clark and starts to look into it. Jade and Kenisha decide to sell some of it and keep some of it. It’s the only thing they have left of her. Jade and Kenisha talk and learn that Taj also made a play for Tyreece but he claimed he didn’t sleep with her. Kenisha gets a message from Taj inviting her and her friends about being in an internet video and says there’s serious money to be made.

Jade says hell no. Taj is a user. She knows she won’t change her mind. She tells Jalissa and Diamond. Diamond and Jalissa say count them out. Kenisha tho is thinking she doesn’t like her but she’ll take her money and get the hospital off her grandma’s back. At school, Kenisha finds out her video has gone viral and Regan is now at Penn. Troy again tries to get Kenisha to “hang out” with him. Kenisha says she’ll think about it. Then we find out Regan is Troy’s cousin.

Kenisha sees something shady. Meeka is talking to Regan. Meeka told her she wasn’t cool with her anymore. The talk of the school is that Kenisha was hanging with Taj over the weekend. Kenisha blows them off with bs answers. Lil T tells Kenisha he took the video down but it’s way to late. Taj calls Kenisha and she says she’s in but her girl’s are tied up. She gives her the location.. At the rehearsal, everyone is impressed with Kenisha’s dancing. Kenisha soon sees-that just like at the party-all Taj can do is shake her behind.

The “costume” is a thonglike mini and what looks like two circle Band-Aids on some string. A guy comes in “Eric” and she throws himself at her but it’s clear he’s not into her (Money Train). Kenisha finds out from the dancers that Taj was with Tyreece and she says they’re still together on the downlow. Jade said he was trying to get back with her and that she’s been considering taking him back but she doesn’t know if she can trust him. Kenisha sees a physical altercation after the shot between Taj and Money Train. On the way home, Kenisha runs into Darien, he threatens Kenisha. She tells him to get a life. He put it all on herself and she’s OVER him.

Tyreece is there when she gets to her grandmothers (after school) She’ll be coming home. She hasn’t told Jade about what she heads. She gives Tyreece the cold shoulder and then tries to give a hint that one of her friends boyfriend’s is cheating. She asks what he would do. He says found out if it’s true. People are always saying he’s been with this girl or that girl but it’s just not true. Then she thinks why would the girl who told her lie but then she did say Taj told her.

Terrance surprises Kenisha while on her morning jog. They make plans to hang after the party. Her dad gives her a call and tells her she can work on weekends. He tells her to come over for a dinner Courtney cooked. She wants to make amends. Later, she runs into T who tells her Darien’s boys are looking for him to kiss his butt. He owes them money. Jalissa confronts Kenisha because she thinks she’s doing drugs because she’s been so tired. She tells her she’s just not been sleeping well because of the dreams about her mother.

Troy ends up picking her up at Freeman’s and taking her to his sister’s party. The party is over the top and looks like someone went crazy with the color pink. Kenisha is having fun but sees Regan and that’s her cue to leave. She admits to Troy she had fun. For a split second, she thinks about kissing him. He drops her back at Freeman.

After teaching and intermediate hip-hop class, Taj shows up. She says she needs to clear the air. She hopes they can be friends one day. She says she doesn’t have a lot of friends but she’s not the bitch every one thinks she is. She’s just trying to do a job in a very hard profession. She doesn’t get a lot of breaks so she just takes them. She apologizes for what happened at the party. She said she’d been taking anxiety pills and drinking. She mentions Jade and says she’s not trying to take Tyreece. They’re just good friends. It’s just a ploy to sell CDS. She tells Kenisha she’s really good and should consider dancing professionally. Then she says Kenisha needs to consider it seriously and appreciate what she’s doing for her (when Kenisha says she won’t be dancing long or quitting school. She’s just doing it to make some money quick for bills. She makes Taj promise not to say anything. She says she has her back.

Kenisha is thinking maybe Taj isn’t so bad, but then she sees her and Terrance talking in the hallway smiling in each other’s face. Then she sees them hug. He calls her later. She doesn’t answer. Kenneth finally tells Jade and Kenisha their mother had a virus of the heart (cardio myopathy). It went undetected for a long time. Ultimately, she needed a heart transplant. She was on a donor list but her tissue was hard to match. They tell him about the bills. Kenisha finds out the story between Taj and Ty. Ty can’t help with the hospital bills because he’s broke. He sank everything he had into his production company. Now it’s gone.

Taj was underage when he signed her. After her first CD she got a better offer from another company and wanted to take it, but she was tied to Ty’s company for seven more years. To get out of the contract she threatened Ty with a sexual assault and statutory rape charge. He let her out. Taj left the company and it went bankrupt. What’s left the IRS is taking. She tells her to watch out for Taj she’ll do anything to get to the top.

When she gets to rehearsal, she finds out Taj is trying to sell a reality show and she’s trying to shot an interview. One of the dancers is clearly into Money Train. Taj brings Terrance to the shoot-which pisses off Kenisha. He says he can’t stay tho. Taj throws a tantrum on set and tells him to get rid of the model playing her man. She tries to suggest Terrance but he shakes his head no and leaves. Taj starts taking it out on the dancers and then Kenisha-because she can’t dance-. But Kenisha makes it clear she needs to check her on self. She trips over her stilettos and really goes off when people start to laugh. Kenisha sees she’s drunk and is about to knock her out but the dancers pull her away.
Kenisha is about to walk out but Taj reminds her of the contract. Kenisha shows her she never signed it.

She pushes her and Kenisha swings on her and hits her in the chin. She pushes her again and tries it again. Kenisha slaps the ish out of her and everyone is in shock. Taj’s entarouge and the dancers then get into a fight. Taj says Kenisha will never work in the business again and fires the dancers. Later, Kenisha confesses everything to her grandmother. She tells her take care of the bills. Later, Kenisha does get paid for the shot, and she tries to give it to her grandmother but her father’s already taken care of the bills. Taj texts Kenisha because the reality show people said they had good energy and she wants her to be in the show.

MY THOUGHTS:
Download Drama was surprisingly the last book that I see written in the Kenesha Lewis series. Quite disappointing because the drama I wanted to know most about was left up in the air. I know I’m not the only one who wanted to know more about Kenneth’s other family.

None the less the drama in this book was a bit more exciting. As I read more of these series I have more and more respect for Kenesha. Yes, she’s a bit rough but she seems to have developed and gone through some character growth since the first book. She’s matured, but she still has fight. She’s tough and she has this kind of attitude that nothing really phases her.

Other stuff that's left open are do we ever get to find out if Cassie was the girl’s voice Kenesha heard when her house was broken into? What happens to Freeman’s? We know they’re planning a show (How very Honey) . Is it a success? (Of course, it is!) Is there more drama at the show? Does Freeman’s get rebuilt or relocated?

Then there’s the other love interest (Troy). At first, he struck me as an arrogant prick, but as the story went on he still struck me as an arrogant prick, but he grew on me a smidge. Not enough for me to want him to take “lawn mower guys” place. Still, I was hoping maybe he and Kenisha could develop a friendship since they bonded through the “pink party”. (So cool!) Anyone else as turned on as me at the thought of an all pink shaded party?

Then there’s the drama with Darien, who frankly scares me. Very unsettling, like you’re just waiting in anticipation for him to get Kenisha when she’s alone and god forbid knows what: rape her? Jump her? Put a bullet in her?

I give this book an 8, but I do hope the author eventually continues this because there are too many loose ends. But I liked the ending! SWEET JUSTICE! TaJ shows her behind on the video shot, but gets played and made to look like a damn fool! And the sweet part is Keneisha still gets PAID!

[Pooja Sathyanarayanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed reading Download Drama because it was just the kind of book I needed to read after an extremely hectic week and reading options that had kind of become the norm as of late. While nothing spells exciting more than a unique and literally out-of-this-world premise, sometimes you need something that keeps you grounded. It's impossible to say just how much I loved getting to know Kenisha Lewis!

In Download Drama, the protagonist, Kenisha, has a lot on her plate. Other than family issues that run deep and problems she has with people in school, there's the video of her practising in the dance studio which wasn't even supposed to have been taken in the first place that goes viral. Kenisha is now a YubeTube sensation and her fifteen minutes of fame also lands her an offer to dance in a music video with rapper Taj who given everything that's been said and heard about her, cannot possibly mean well. Throw in a pretty awesome boyfriend as well as attention from one of the most popular guys in school and you have way too much drama, or do we?

I was surprised at how well grounded Kenisha was. She definitely has her head on her shoulders! Sure, she isn't always that level headed. But for the most part, she tackles situations as they come and at times, shows maturity beyond her years. She is also extremely talented and of course she bursts with happiness when everyone else gets to see how good a dancer she is, though she is initially annoyed when the video of her at the dance studio is out and goes viral. Yet at times, there she is, like every other teenager, engaging in petty fights, angst and the usual high school drama! I love how she could be any other teenager! While I am nothing like her, I know people like her and they are people I'd gladly be friends with.

Download Drama also deals with moving on from grief, family conflict and explores the intricacies of fame. I loved its simple and fluid pace. It was easy to love this book as it was so high school; give or take a few relationships. This book is my normal. At the same time, it did remind me of how shallow and superficial we could sometimes be in high school. While the conclusion was more than satisfactory, there were a couple of loose ends that had me wondering if this book was a series. That was when I found out there were other Kenisha Lewis books that took place before this one, including Pushing Pause and Fast Forward. Oops?

I've never read books out of sequence but I didn't find it confusing or anything to jump right into Download Drama. I'm guessing reading the other books of the series first would've maybe given me more insights into these characters. I am planning to read the other books when I get the chance. It's the kind of series I wouldn't might investing in! I'm also waiting for a possible next book about Kenisha Lewis because I must know what happened to these lovely characters!

If you're looking for something real, a little light yet with enough substance and personality, do not hesitate to pick up Download Drama. It has some great characters and story lines that are dealt with sensitively!

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland]

I struggled with this book because it felt like Kenisha was talking to me, telling the story. There's quite a bit of internal dialogue, the minimum is dedicated to placing the reader in the setting. The action moves quickly, and the voice is youthful. This didn't work for me personally, but the writing feels appropriate for a tween, and possibly a younger teen, audience.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. Download Drama is about a young girl named Kenisha Lewis who is always caught up in some kind of drama. This book has it all; cheating part time Dad with crazy baby mamma drama, kick butt taking no stuff Grandma, boy triangle, a family secret, text messaging, c list celebrity drama, and the typical high school "Mean Girls" drama. Ms. Norfleet wrote this book through the eyes of a teenager. As I was reading, I could place any of my nieces, nephews and/or their friends in these situations.

I liked how she wrote the text messaging into the story because we all know that's what teens do all day. Ms. Norfleet showed, through all the various characters, how teens interact and respond to each other and in complicated situations. The concept of the story was believable as well as the plot. Ofcourse, there are many lessons to be learned in this tale but they're subtle and not overdone. Teens will enjoy this book because it's like reading about their friends, boyfriends or school. They will be able to relate and laugh.

[Bless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. You should bot judge a book by it's cover and you should dig deeper but not too deep that it hurts. Don't let anyone ride over you like you are nothing. Make sure you know your worth and learn to embrace people around you. Don't you ever forget to have a little fun and bring out your passion for the world to see. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed of who you are. Love yourself, for you are unique. Those were all the 10 or more morals of this story. What I learned was truly amazing. I recommend this book to all the divas out there, just make sure you keep it 100% real if you know what's good for you and what's coming your way soon.

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenisha Lewis is a young woman who steps up to the plate when she finds her deceased mother's medical bills that were sent to her grandmother. When a video of her goes viral on You Tube she is offered the chance to dance in a music video and to take care of her mother's medical bills. She takes it intending to use the money towards the bills even though she has to put up with the star of the video who is a real diva. The ending of this book is sweet.

[she_ill_22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

Still enjoying the series. Feels like there may be another Kenisha story coming after this... If not, I loved the whole series. It accurately depicts the many issues that a girl faces during her young adult years. I love that Kenisha isn't boy crazy or have low self-esteem. All of her issues are a result of growing pains and learning from her mistakes. I really appreciate that Grandmom is Kenisha's normal; my grandmother was the same thing for me.

[Tamia Davis]

This book was good . She did most of the stuff to help her family out .she went though so much trouble even know it wasn't the right thing she did it to get money for her family . I feel like I would do something to help my family out if they needed help

[Vernita · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a little flat at first then i started getting into it.

[Cierra]

awesome