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Red Ink: Bosses, Bullies, & Butterflies
"You have to be you, Fly. No matter how hard it is. The world needs the soft, beautiful power of Butterflies.” Lesli Lyn Faulkner (pen name, Butterfly Brooks) Lifestyle Editor of Mahogany Magazine and founder of the world famous urban fiction blog The Kaleidoscope, watches, monitors, and documents the strange, sinister behind the scenes happenings in the urban fiction industry much to the dismay of its chieftains. She chronicles author rivalries, cyber bullying, reader beatdowns, and corporate in house tension and competition that make rap concerts look like ladies afternoon teas.
At the center of the industry's latest scandal is Kendali Grace, author of The Vixen Notebook and starchild of Dominion Publishing, helmed by the cunning, calculating Hiram Rivers and his wife Georgette. Their fortunes are threatened when Kendali's artistic integrity is called into question on a massive scale spawning a rollercoaster ride of situations, confrontations, and investigations. All events culminate at the annual Platinum Quill Book Expo, where a key player in the industry is killed. Sex, lies, competition, thievery, plagiarism and murder make for a troublesome climate for any butterfly to flutter her wings. What happens to the industry after the tragic death of one of its beloved? What does it mean for the Bosses? What does it mean for the Bullies? But most of all, what does it mean for the Butterflies?
At the center of the industry's latest scandal is Kendali Grace, author of The Vixen Notebook and starchild of Dominion Publishing, helmed by the cunning, calculating Hiram Rivers and his wife Georgette. Their fortunes are threatened when Kendali's artistic integrity is called into question on a massive scale spawning a rollercoaster ride of situations, confrontations, and investigations. All events culminate at the annual Platinum Quill Book Expo, where a key player in the industry is killed. Sex, lies, competition, thievery, plagiarism and murder make for a troublesome climate for any butterfly to flutter her wings. What happens to the industry after the tragic death of one of its beloved? What does it mean for the Bosses? What does it mean for the Bullies? But most of all, what does it mean for the Butterflies?
294 pages, ebook
Published October 12, 2018
57 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Butterfly Brooks
31 books34 followersI write stories with My husband/My Qo~pilot in this Qosmic Qonspiracy Thaddeus Kane.
He is The Spinner.
I am The Weaver.
We are The GenreBenders.
I weave tales with Love, Light, Passion, Pain, Triumph, and Magic!
I wrote my first story and my first poem at age seven and I was hooked!
I am daughter, woman, wife, lover, mamma, writer, author, dilettante Black music historian, Spirit Woman guide, star reader gypsy, student, Lianesss, Butterfly, and emoticon addict, currently not enrolled in a 12 step program.
I love poetry, parks, overcast days, autumn sunshine, yoga, sunsets, my Loving Ones, good movies, and good books.
Subscribe to my website: ButterflyBrooks.com for the divine best of gift books, giveaways, sneak peeks, and online literary events.
Swirl with Us:
#ButterflyBrooks
#BFlyB
#ThaddeusKane
#PlatinumQuill
#GiftBooksGalore
#TheWeaver
#TheSpinner
#TheGenreBenders
#Pen2Pen
#PensEquallyYoked
He is The Spinner.
I am The Weaver.
We are The GenreBenders.
I weave tales with Love, Light, Passion, Pain, Triumph, and Magic!
I wrote my first story and my first poem at age seven and I was hooked!
I am daughter, woman, wife, lover, mamma, writer, author, dilettante Black music historian, Spirit Woman guide, star reader gypsy, student, Lianesss, Butterfly, and emoticon addict, currently not enrolled in a 12 step program.
I love poetry, parks, overcast days, autumn sunshine, yoga, sunsets, my Loving Ones, good movies, and good books.
Subscribe to my website: ButterflyBrooks.com for the divine best of gift books, giveaways, sneak peeks, and online literary events.
Swirl with Us:
#ButterflyBrooks
#BFlyB
#ThaddeusKane
#PlatinumQuill
#GiftBooksGalore
#TheWeaver
#TheSpinner
#TheGenreBenders
#Pen2Pen
#PensEquallyYoked
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 29, 2019
No
No. No. No. No. No!! You did NOT just end with a cliffhanger!! Ohhh my God you wrong 😭. This book was delicious! The subject was so amazing. Sadly it was true. The "urban" genre is dying a slow, bloody death. Writing is an art, a gift. Everybody can't sing or dance but people seem to think that any old body can write. Nope. They may have a good story but if the grammar, punctuation and flow isn't right it totally diminishes the over all grandness of the work. This book was so different and I love that. Can't wait to see what happens in book 2 cause I have sooo many questions that need answers.
No. No. No. No. No!! You did NOT just end with a cliffhanger!! Ohhh my God you wrong 😭. This book was delicious! The subject was so amazing. Sadly it was true. The "urban" genre is dying a slow, bloody death. Writing is an art, a gift. Everybody can't sing or dance but people seem to think that any old body can write. Nope. They may have a good story but if the grammar, punctuation and flow isn't right it totally diminishes the over all grandness of the work. This book was so different and I love that. Can't wait to see what happens in book 2 cause I have sooo many questions that need answers.
February 14, 2021
A honest view of the urban fiction literary world. There is definitely some wisdom to be learned in between these pages.
A very enjoyable story.
A very enjoyable story.
August 19, 2020
The story is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. There were issues with formatting and transitions, but all in all a good read. I recommend this to those who love their fiction with a heavy dose of realism. (full review on blog)
October 20, 2018
Wow.. what can I say about this book? Ok first and foremost this is my first time reading this author's work and I will say that I tried to savor this book for the longest. For a whole week I literally took my time to digest everything about this book. I've never read any book for a whole week. I wish I could start this book over from the beginning, but I must move on and I really need book 2 now. I wish I can give this book more than 5 stars because I really enjoyed everything I was reading and it was like actually being inside this book conversing with the each character. So much hate, envy, jealousy, pettiness and bitching going on in the book which is the same as in real life events. I was ok with the ending as to what happened, but now I want to know what Georgette sensed now. And then a shocking moment happened reading the section with Khai, Kendali & Hiram. I didn't care for Hiram's character since he was so trifling and no good. I would love to see him fall from grace. Mustafa was the realist to me. And I like Maceo who seem to be the nice guy versus Hiram enforcing his dang ego and just plain scandalous. BB where is book 2?
February 5, 2019
A whole lot of confusion
This was my first read by this author and although there were too many characters to keep up with for my taste it still had a very good story line. It actually allowed you to picture it in your mind and want to shake a couple of the characters. This story was really a good depiction of what’s going on in the book industry right now. I applaud this author for being bold enough to write a story that comes close to exposing what many of us are thinking. Once you get through the myriad of characters you will find a very interesting read.
Happy Reading
The Official Dcbookreviewer
This was my first read by this author and although there were too many characters to keep up with for my taste it still had a very good story line. It actually allowed you to picture it in your mind and want to shake a couple of the characters. This story was really a good depiction of what’s going on in the book industry right now. I applaud this author for being bold enough to write a story that comes close to exposing what many of us are thinking. Once you get through the myriad of characters you will find a very interesting read.
Happy Reading
The Official Dcbookreviewer
November 6, 2018
This book got better as it went on. For a book with a plot that is heavily invested in the plight of the new Urban Fiction author vs the old school one, and with heavy emphasis on discussions about editing and quality, there were a lot of editing issues in this book. I also felt like there was a lot of filler information that could have been left out to aid in the flow of the story. Still, it was a good read and the ending was crazy.
January 31, 2019
Exciting and scandalous
For a long moment, I thought this was a real-life recount. The way the story was written, I thought, for sure, I had read or heard about the scandals of these fictional publishing houses on SOME website 🙈🙊😄
Drama and action filled the pages of this tale that left me anxiously flipping the pages to see what would happen next. However, I was NOT prepared for the unexpected ending 🙊😊 A guaranteed must-read
For a long moment, I thought this was a real-life recount. The way the story was written, I thought, for sure, I had read or heard about the scandals of these fictional publishing houses on SOME website 🙈🙊😄
Drama and action filled the pages of this tale that left me anxiously flipping the pages to see what would happen next. However, I was NOT prepared for the unexpected ending 🙊😊 A guaranteed must-read
October 27, 2018
Amazing!!!
Again another well written amazing read! Why did it end and leave me so emotionally drained? The writing is so good I found myself fussing at the characters for their actions. Oh my and that threesome.... I dropped my iPad. The storyline is awesome and gives you a good look inside the literary world. No one draws you in the she can!!!
Again another well written amazing read! Why did it end and leave me so emotionally drained? The writing is so good I found myself fussing at the characters for their actions. Oh my and that threesome.... I dropped my iPad. The storyline is awesome and gives you a good look inside the literary world. No one draws you in the she can!!!
January 16, 2019
Wow
This book, was well written. The story kept your attention from beginning to end. The characters were on point and intertwined with each other throughout entire the story. I can't wait till the next episode. This was my first read by this author and I couldn’t have read it at a better time!
This book, was well written. The story kept your attention from beginning to end. The characters were on point and intertwined with each other throughout entire the story. I can't wait till the next episode. This was my first read by this author and I couldn’t have read it at a better time!
April 28, 2020
Red Ink
A well written sad but true observation of the industry today. While this was a fictional tell all, so much of it was blazingly similar to real life occurrences.
This "who did it" ended on a very awkward note. The suspects are plentiful. Lies and betrayal have become the norm in this industry. Will changes be made?
I can't wait till part two drops!
A well written sad but true observation of the industry today. While this was a fictional tell all, so much of it was blazingly similar to real life occurrences.
This "who did it" ended on a very awkward note. The suspects are plentiful. Lies and betrayal have become the norm in this industry. Will changes be made?
I can't wait till part two drops!
October 12, 2018
Banger!!!!🔥
Love, murder, betrayal, secrets and SO MUCH MORE! Who knew the publishing industry was so gangsta! This book had me hooked from beginning to end! The twist and secrets had my mouth open and the ending.... I wasn’t ready!!! Great read! Highly recommended!
Love, murder, betrayal, secrets and SO MUCH MORE! Who knew the publishing industry was so gangsta! This book had me hooked from beginning to end! The twist and secrets had my mouth open and the ending.... I wasn’t ready!!! Great read! Highly recommended!
January 14, 2019
Who knew the book business was so drama filled
Looking in this world of publishing you get a little of everything. Scandal, in fighting, back stabbing, adultery, love lust and murder.
EyeCU Reading approved
Looking in this world of publishing you get a little of everything. Scandal, in fighting, back stabbing, adultery, love lust and murder.
EyeCU Reading approved
January 2, 2019
You Did It Again
This book, was well written. The story was intriguing, stimulating and kept your attention. The stories of each character was on point and intertwined with each other the story. I can't wait till the next episode.
This book, was well written. The story was intriguing, stimulating and kept your attention. The stories of each character was on point and intertwined with each other the story. I can't wait till the next episode.
February 28, 2019
I just couldnt.....
I am not saying anything was wrong with the book or anything, but was just not my cup of tea.
I am not saying anything was wrong with the book or anything, but was just not my cup of tea.
June 30, 2020
Two thumbs up!!
This story was very well put together and fast paced from beginning to ending. The verbiage allowed the prose to flow keeping me engaged in the storyline. The story utilized the social media format of comments and posts to move the story along and moved between the social media world and the world the author created seamlessly. This story and it’s plot were engaging and entertaining. I won’t say anything about the story itself because the fun of this story are all the little surprises along the way!
This story was very well put together and fast paced from beginning to ending. The verbiage allowed the prose to flow keeping me engaged in the storyline. The story utilized the social media format of comments and posts to move the story along and moved between the social media world and the world the author created seamlessly. This story and it’s plot were engaging and entertaining. I won’t say anything about the story itself because the fun of this story are all the little surprises along the way!
November 6, 2019
This book was a page turner from the beginning to the end. They had many characters in this book, but they all intertwined with each other. The secrets that were revealed made my jaw drop. The lies that were being told was the cause of what led to the what happened at the end. This book had a lot going on, but it was well put together and keep you guessing what would happen next. I loved this book and have become a new fan of these authors!!!
November 21, 2019
Wow
From beginning to end my mouth was hung open. The drama, the realness, the madness. All the crazy things that take place behind the scenes of the amazing world or writing. Red Ink is amazing and it tells a story that, in my opinion, has never been told. And if it has, not like this. No, not like this at all. I'll admit, the end had me sad, but I am ready for part two! Bring on the next!!
From beginning to end my mouth was hung open. The drama, the realness, the madness. All the crazy things that take place behind the scenes of the amazing world or writing. Red Ink is amazing and it tells a story that, in my opinion, has never been told. And if it has, not like this. No, not like this at all. I'll admit, the end had me sad, but I am ready for part two! Bring on the next!!
June 13, 2023
Winter in a Blue Dress at Bailey’s Cafe
while some of the influences seem obvious here, the gag is being able to bring them all together in a place that forms a thriller, erotic tale and a hood/street book all while offering a constant and blistering critique of contemporary urban literature. a nifty feat indeed!
while some of the influences seem obvious here, the gag is being able to bring them all together in a place that forms a thriller, erotic tale and a hood/street book all while offering a constant and blistering critique of contemporary urban literature. a nifty feat indeed!
July 1, 2020
Suspenseful
The zing messages I gathered are more of a social media app. There wasn’t enough buildup from some of the characters while others were built perfectly. The ending is questionable. It picked up here and there but it wasn’t enough action for me. Good read.
The zing messages I gathered are more of a social media app. There wasn’t enough buildup from some of the characters while others were built perfectly. The ending is questionable. It picked up here and there but it wasn’t enough action for me. Good read.
December 28, 2020
I loved this book. It's all about the publishing industry but it's Black publishing. Jealousy, betrayal, back stabbing. The sex scenes are hot. There are no boring moments in this novel. It even has a spiritual component...different from any book I've read. I highly recommend.
March 25, 2022
Butterfly Brooks and Thaddeus Kane pulled the curtains back on the literary world and wrote a whole tell all! This book was jam packed with drama, details and plenty of colorful characters. I'm still mad about Kendali but I'm definitely reading Book 2 because I refuse to let this world go 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2022
🦋📚💕
This book is different but in a good sense. Unique storyline, fast paced, multiple characters, realistic, and scandalous. I also love her writing style and how she gives vivid descriptions. Butterfly, you knocked it out of the park with this one!! 🦋📚❤️
This book is different but in a good sense. Unique storyline, fast paced, multiple characters, realistic, and scandalous. I also love her writing style and how she gives vivid descriptions. Butterfly, you knocked it out of the park with this one!! 🦋📚❤️
May 14, 2020
Who Did It????
I was not looking for that ending. I have so many questions. Like did Max go mad or what? After all of the bs and drama, it had to end this way. Sighs!
I was not looking for that ending. I have so many questions. Like did Max go mad or what? After all of the bs and drama, it had to end this way. Sighs!
April 15, 2022
A must read
The author did an amazing job with this book. It was entertaining and I enjoyed the emojis and real life social media conversation. Made me feel like I knew the characters personally. I highly recommend this book.
The author did an amazing job with this book. It was entertaining and I enjoyed the emojis and real life social media conversation. Made me feel like I knew the characters personally. I highly recommend this book.
February 4, 2025
It's Levels to the Game
When I tell you I Ioved reading this story! I truly enjoyed reading this story! Chile, the truth! This story made me laugh; it made me angry. It also made me think. There are so many themes in this book. One of the main themes I saw throughout the book was black excellence - what it is and how it looks. Representation matters - how we present ourselves to us (the collective group of black people), and how we present ourselves to the greater society at large. How we present ourselves is how people can and will assume that we are all of the time. The kicker is the ending. I did not see that coming! Awesome read.
When I tell you I Ioved reading this story! I truly enjoyed reading this story! Chile, the truth! This story made me laugh; it made me angry. It also made me think. There are so many themes in this book. One of the main themes I saw throughout the book was black excellence - what it is and how it looks. Representation matters - how we present ourselves to us (the collective group of black people), and how we present ourselves to the greater society at large. How we present ourselves is how people can and will assume that we are all of the time. The kicker is the ending. I did not see that coming! Awesome read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews