Brickhouse: An Entrepreneur Battles Corruption and Discovers Love in the Fight for Harlem

by Rita Ewing

Harlem entrepreneur and fitness superstar Nona Simms worked hard to make Brickhouse one of the hottest gyms in the city -- her gift to the community that has always been home. Now corrupt city politics is coming uptown, and Nona's dream is slated for the wrecking ball, doomed to die so a new mall can live. Nona is a fighter, though, and she's gathering her friends around her for support against the special interests. But her cherished business partner, handsome Allen Wade, is growing distant, weighed down by a shattering secret that could destroy both their futures. Best girlfriend Leila has her own problems, suffering through the disintegration of her marriage to a New York Knicks superstar. And Nona's determined battle is pulling her deeper into a web of treachery, deceit, and scandal that stretches into the very highest circles of New York power. But help is on the horizon, even when things are looking hopeless, coming on strong from the last place Nona Simms ever expected ... and from the last man she ever expected to love.

Genres: African American, Chick Lit

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlem girl turned fitness superstar and entrepreneur, Nona Simms, maintains two very important mind-sets to keep her gym Brickhouse a success; hard work and dedication. No matter how famous she gets, she will always call Harlem home and she is there to stay.

When disgraceful and shifty community leader Rev. Watkins threatens to force Brickhouse out of Harlem only to replace it with a shopping mall, Nona is prepared to fight fire with fire. Although she is geared up for the battle that is about to ensue, additional personal concerns arise, further deepening her anger and humiliation.

Adding on to her misery, her insecure daughter is escalating into a path of self-destruction, her best friend and business partner, Allen Wade, is hiding a terrible secret that can destroy him physically and a man she loathes is weaving his way into her heart at the most inopportune time.

As Nona fights for all that she loves, she struggles to keep strong to also fight off the disparaging challenges that face her.

[Jana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. As the wife of former basketball star, Patrick Ewing, Rita does have insight into the elite world of professional athletes and NYC.