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Christmas in the Hood: Stories
The undisputed queen of hip-hop fiction, #1 Essence bestselling author Nikki Turner unwraps a talented new collection of writers with raw urban stories to jingle your bells this season.
Christmas in the Hood presents fresh talent alongside shining stars such as K. Elliott and Seth “Soul Man” Ferranti–all writing gritty tales that reveal what the holidays bring for the naughty and the nice who live by the code of the street. In “Secret Santa,” after her children’s Christmas presents are stolen, a woman has to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to give them the holiday they deserve; in “Me and Grandma,” a senior sleighs more crack than candy canes to bring Christmas cheer to her needy grandkids; and in “Holiday Hell,” Noelle must raise $23,000 to repay a loan shark or her sister will become a ghost of Christmas past. True to the streets and true to the season, these stories will raise the holiday spirit in the heart of even the most ghetto-hardened gangsta.
“The ghetto’s voice without constraint.”
–Upscale, on Tales from da Hood
Christmas in the Hood presents fresh talent alongside shining stars such as K. Elliott and Seth “Soul Man” Ferranti–all writing gritty tales that reveal what the holidays bring for the naughty and the nice who live by the code of the street. In “Secret Santa,” after her children’s Christmas presents are stolen, a woman has to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to give them the holiday they deserve; in “Me and Grandma,” a senior sleighs more crack than candy canes to bring Christmas cheer to her needy grandkids; and in “Holiday Hell,” Noelle must raise $23,000 to repay a loan shark or her sister will become a ghost of Christmas past. True to the streets and true to the season, these stories will raise the holiday spirit in the heart of even the most ghetto-hardened gangsta.
“The ghetto’s voice without constraint.”
–Upscale, on Tales from da Hood
302 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2007
30 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Turner
60 books886 followersAfter Nikki Turner read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah she was dismayed that there weren't other books like it. "I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read," said the bestselling author, whose 2002 debut novel, A Hustler's Wife, would go on to sell more than a few 100,000 copies.
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."
(Taken from author's website)
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."
(Taken from author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 8, 2013
One star is a little harsh on the first three stories, which weren't great but not terrible either. However, the last two stories would receive a negative 40 star rating, so the whole star thing works out in the end.
The first story started out rough - a stripper/prostitute mom is just looking to replace the Christmas presents that were stolen by her boyfriend. A Christmas angel saves her. Cheesy, and predictable but fine.
Mo Shines wrote my favorite story - 'Me and Grandma'. Gigi becomes a little drug entrepreneur only to help save grandma (who is also a drug dealer) by trying to earn enough money for her kidney transplant. This story had the best characterization and decent pacing and storyline (kidney transplant and all).
In 'Holiday Hell', Noelle also needs to come up with money by Christmas to save her little sister who has been kidnapped by a loan shark who wants payback on the money their mother stole from him to feed her drug habit. The details were either harsh, or completely unbelievable (a wealthy safe designer is working at a clothing shop?), but again has decent characterization and pace.
The last two stories were miserable. Ferranti's 'A Christmas Song' is the worst offender. This was possibly the worst short story I've ever read. The characterization is insane - including some Italian mobsters out of a 1980's movie. The story line wants to be action packed, but the pacing is abysmal so nothing really happens. And it goes on and on and on - complete with ridiculous dialogue and some unnecessary homophobia too. I hated this story and felt bad for the other stories that had to share the book with this story.
The last story had boring characters, boring storyline, no frame, no Christmas details, but at least the pacing was decent!
P.S. I read this book for a class, and realize that I am not the intended demographic!
The first story started out rough - a stripper/prostitute mom is just looking to replace the Christmas presents that were stolen by her boyfriend. A Christmas angel saves her. Cheesy, and predictable but fine.
Mo Shines wrote my favorite story - 'Me and Grandma'. Gigi becomes a little drug entrepreneur only to help save grandma (who is also a drug dealer) by trying to earn enough money for her kidney transplant. This story had the best characterization and decent pacing and storyline (kidney transplant and all).
In 'Holiday Hell', Noelle also needs to come up with money by Christmas to save her little sister who has been kidnapped by a loan shark who wants payback on the money their mother stole from him to feed her drug habit. The details were either harsh, or completely unbelievable (a wealthy safe designer is working at a clothing shop?), but again has decent characterization and pace.
The last two stories were miserable. Ferranti's 'A Christmas Song' is the worst offender. This was possibly the worst short story I've ever read. The characterization is insane - including some Italian mobsters out of a 1980's movie. The story line wants to be action packed, but the pacing is abysmal so nothing really happens. And it goes on and on and on - complete with ridiculous dialogue and some unnecessary homophobia too. I hated this story and felt bad for the other stories that had to share the book with this story.
The last story had boring characters, boring storyline, no frame, no Christmas details, but at least the pacing was decent!
P.S. I read this book for a class, and realize that I am not the intended demographic!
January 31, 2011
This novel is what turned me off of Nikki Turner's books.
October 26, 2014
these short stories flew by really quick. I was concerned in the story with Paris, but thankful no ugliness was written in that part. decent book.
July 8, 2008
This was ok. A collection of short stories from various authors. I think it was one story in particular that I would've loved see develop into a full novel. Of course I can't remember which one it was right now!
March 6, 2010
Need a break from the hood stories; hope to finish this weekend.
May 25, 2010
♥ Good Book ♥
March 13, 2011
This book was really good I enjoy all the short stories I highly recommend this book to all book clubs and individuals who love to read as much as I do
December 21, 2011
i thought this book was good. it had alot of drama in it and i can really say alot of people can realate to this book.
March 1, 2008
The first four stories where really good. The last two they were alright!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews