From her deathbed, where HIV is choking away her last breaths, Black Girl, an infamous ex-prostitute of Atlanta s Auburn Avenue ho stroll, exacts two promises from her three young teen-aged sons, Khalil, B-Man, and Quantavious. She does not try to fool herself that the boys will be anything, but hustlers. Hustling is in their blood from both ends hers and her father s, Rapheal s, who was Black Girl s pimp before drugs knocked them both on their asses and destroyed Rapheal s stable of top-notch hos. In Khalil, Black Girl sees the making of a boss mack, much like his pops. In B-Man, her middle son, she sees a fierce jack boy and a heartless killa. In her baby boy, Q, Black Girl prophesizes a major drug king pin. Together, she knows her sons can rape the game from all angles and put ATL in a chokehold. But to do so, they must never let money, hos, jealousy or envy come between them. They must remain bonded by blood, which she makes them promise at her deathbed. Black Girl also makes them promise to forgive Rapheal, and not hold her demise against him. But some promises are hard to keep, especially when hate, jealousy, and envy run deep. When fast money, dimed up chicks, unspoken grudges and unforgivable violations are tossed into the mix, will a deathbed promise to their mother be enough to stop the bloodshed once it begins? Which brother will remain standing in the end?
I'd have rated this 5 stars and thought about adding it to the best-of-urban-fiction list that's in my head if it weren't for the problems. The good stuff first - Cash brought forth a great story. The characters are all fun to read about and go great together. *Some* parts of the book are realistic which always goes great with the genre even if it doesn't often go hand-in-hand. The bad stuff (hold on to your hats) - I'll start with the editing. Always the editing. Apparently this had at least THREE editors. That's 3 EDITORS. You may think that a book that has been edited by at least three different people wouldn't have too many problems right? You'd be thinking wrong. And, I'll put the why of that out there. Authors - you all don't need to be publishers. What author with at least two books in this genre doesn't have a "publishing company"? I mean, does anyone actually think these "companies" will go anywhere? They suck. They don't do what they're supposed to do. Don't start a fucking "publishing company" (usually with a stupid ass name) if you can't properly publish a book! Okay, so, "Jazzy Pen Communications", R. Hamilton, and M.D. Phillips are listed as the editors. (Oh yeah, I wouldn't put my whole name out there either if this was by work so I don't blame ya'll there.) Three editors and some piss poor editing. We have a book filled with misspellings, extra words, deleted words, run-on sentences, half sentences and sometimes less than half a sentence, misplaced punctuation, the whole nine. If I forgot to add anything feel safe assuming it's in there. (Or NOT in there depending.) Yes, it's that bad. Here's something I got a kick of. The dedication is this (and I quote): "THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL MY URBAN AND STREET LIT AUTHORS WHOSE STORIES DEPICT THE STREETS AS THEY REALLY ARE. THANX FOR NOT WRITING THAT FAKE ONLY-IN-THE-MOVIES GARBAGE THAT SATURATE THE GENRE. -END-
Uh, the mistakes are Cash's, not mine by the way. So, basically what we have here is a book that can't even wait to show a mistake until after the dedication. But that's not the funny part! The funny part is that this dedication makes a reader assume that this is going to be that real shit right? That the average reader in the targeted audience will be able to relate. Right? Okay. So, chapter one, very first paragraph we have this: "Fazio sat down on the soft, butter leather, half-oval sofa in the spacious, expensively decorated entertainment room of the $2.7 million dollar baby mansion he had purchased a year ago. The 20-room adobe was only a couple of blocks away from the mansion in Fayettesville once owned by ex-heavyweight champ, Evander Holyfield." Where do YOU want me to start? How many of YOU can relate to this? Don't let the shiny white face fool you now, I've lived in some ghettos. I know "real". This ain't it. And last time I checked, I think the word Cash and his oh-so-capable editors wanted to use was 'abode' and not 'adobe'. Not that it's the only problem with this here paragraph but it's one of the most humorous and telling. I can actually see an author making that mistake in the grip of writing but an editor? Nay, THREE EDITORS? The mistakes in that one paragraph popped right out to me and I was NOT looking for them. And I'm supposed to shell out my money for something like this? I'm supposed to recommend this to others? Ya'll got the wrong person. Oh, I can't forget this, also on page 1. Fazio paid cash for his "baby mansion" and was sitting at home in his Coogi p.j.'s, with "a platinum chain and iced out medallion replica of Queen Nefertiti that was the size of a paperback book and fell to his navel." (I'm embarrassed to even admit I read these sentences.) His jewels were custom made from Jacob's. Of course. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this that "FAKE ONLY-IN-THE-MOVIES GARBAGE" that, ahem, "saturate" the genre? Just in case anyone wants to assume I don't know my slang - nope. I know slang. I use slang at times. I can identify slang from other parts of the country that I've never heard before. That's simply common sense and nothing else. Plain old stupid mistakes are different. Cash inserted a little bit of racist mess here with his altercation with the prison warden. There's no mention of the warden being racist yet Khalil calls him a "racist cracker". I could have got with this if it added to the story but it didn't. It was for shock value, like someone who uses foul language with no purpose at all. Tacky and trashy. This goes back to the editing but I'm moving through the book in order so stick with me. For whatever reason the "editor(s)" REALLY like italics. I've come across an "editor" (sorry but I can't quit with the quotes because they aren't real editors and I feel the need to show this) who REALLY liked commas before and one or two who were partial to italics. Nothing like this though. We just have random words - A LOT of random words, italicized for no reason whatsoever throughout the ENTIRE book. I think it was really random. There is no rhyme or reason to it at all. What is that? It's annoying and stupid and shows a sincere lack of intelligence. Oh here, this is a good one and I think I'm nearing the end. The baby in the story was named Alize. And no I'm not joking. Now, to be fair, that's not the most stupid name I've ever heard. That title goes to the "name" 'Mye Storie' from.... well, actually I forget which p.o.s. that was in but I remember being turned off from the entire book. (Please, little girls who have named their babies Alize or Mad Dog or Old E, please don't comment me. I don't care about you.) You may detect some anger and if you do you're detecting right. I'm pissed. It's obvious to me that Cash has talent and that he can write. He's lacking finesse but that's probably the main thing, besides intelligence, that is missing in certain genres. With some mentoring/experience Cash could be a great author. But instead, he's already most likely lost one reader and potentially many more because I can't recommend or suggest this to anyone. And, judging by past authors and their experiences he'll keep on using the same non-editors and churning out the same trash and he'll be like a gerbil on a wheel - never going anywhere but talking all the while. It's sad. With so many shitty authors out there now it's sad to find a good one and have it all fucked up because of some stupid shit like this. :( Authors: editing IS a big deal. If it wasn't, editing wouldn't be part of the process. If you can't put out a good product don't put it the hell out.
This book was so good. I can't wait for part 2. The Brothers are all they have but the one that has a problem with it all is B-Man. Khalil and Q love their brother but in the end where does B-Man's loyalty lie? Jealousy, greed and drugs. Great read
The Joneses weren't like your average kids. Mom and pop didn't raise them to do well in school, save money and believe that someday, someway, their lives would be enriched because of such. Khalil, Basil and Quantavious were street schooled by their parents, a prostitute and a pimp. Their daily lessons consisted of hustling, gun slinging and balling. Before Black Girl, their mother, was called off to eternal rest, she encouraged her sons to live up to their full potential and warned each about turning against the others. Will these brothers remain each other's keeper as money, spite and women become apart of the equation?
BONDED BY BLOOD by Cash is a clever story. Special is the unique bond the brothers share with their parents and one another. It gave the story a much needed quality. Detail heavy, readers feel an instant connection as they're given enough of the background to propel the story forward. Unfortunately, there are issues with editing; missing and misspelled words. Would've loved to close the book knowing I'd completed the story, however, readers are literally left in limbo waiting to see what will happen to the Joneses.
I think this book deserves 1 star. I do not like the way the book ended. I think it is sad the way how Khalil did Rayne, she was good to him though. The sadest thing is this does happen. I was expecting something more from this book. The fact the truth came out at the end and was left the way it did for so long was wack. I think all 3 characters Q, B Man and Khalil are evil. This will be my last book reading urban fiction books. I find it hard the stomach some issues that go on in this book. Like for example cheating, side chicks Killings, under aged sex and drugs. Listen this is not right. Always the same thing. Very off putting. These kind of books almost indicate that this kind of stuff is ok. Almost glamorized. I didnt like the way it was left at the end. Not my kind of book. It has a negative and depressing statement. It really makes me laugh though how people can say they love characters like these one's in this book and fall in love. I mean is everyone from the hood/ ghetto like that...
I really had hope for B-Man but he disappointed me. I just couldn’t figure out what was his grievance with his brother Q. I couldn’t figure out what had him so angry and hateful towards Q. Q and Khalil really loved B-Man but B-Man was dealing with his demons. I felt from the beginning that Rayne was going to be the one to deal with Khalil. She was so in love with him. No sorrow for Persia. Now Vashon story, I don’t know what to say about this 13 yo, just so young talking about living with someone and being a stepdad. B-Man is really trifling. He really hates his family, poor BlackGirl, she really tried to bond them by blood on her deathbed. RIP Alize.
The book is a page Turner. I can't wait to read part two! The spirit of jealousy and envy will destroy a relationship.
I hope part 2 will give B man the opportunity to forgive and turn his life around. He will have the chance to restore his relationship with Q before it is too late.
Wow I can't believe B- Man is that jealous that he's turned into a snake
Wow B-Man is so envious of his brothers that he's willing to have both of them killed. I can't wait to read part 2 to c him get his karma bc he's done a lot of shady stuff but getting his brothers killed is the icing on the cake
I quite e enjoyed reading this book. The characters and their interactions with each other was cleverly written. I look forward to reading the next part of this intriguing story.
Bonded By Blood has it all... Loyalty and betrayal, lust., Cautiom, panic., Love, hate, good bad. You name it. You can find it in this navel. Anxiously awaiting for part 2.
The three brothers only two is trying to keep there promise to their Mother but B Man is a lose canon and I want to know his true story I hope in book 2 they let us know.
This was a really great book. I enjoyed it to the fullest. The end of it was sad for me. I didn't see that coming like that. That brother B-Man ain't nothing but a snake. I can't wait to read part 2. Lata
I've been dying to read this second part to this book I just ain't want to go back to jail to do it I've been looking all over for this book Amazon and everywhere
I've said it twice ( after reading Trust No Man I & II) and I will say it again. This author spit the realist street fiction I've ever read!
Bonded by Blood is a story about three brothers; Khalil, Q and B-Man who promised their mother before she died that they will stay bonded forever. With that promise black girl was happy with knowing that her three sons will take over ATL together! Khalil a certified pimp just like their daddy Raphael. "Q" one of ATL's largest hustlers and B-man a cold hearted stick up kid. The three brothers together were unstoppable; no man in his right mind dared to cross them.
"Q" came up on a lick that made his papers grow larger then damn near any dude in the ATL besides the dude he betrayed. Khali had the finest ho's that walked ATL ho stroll, not only that a women who gave up everything for him. And B-Man was getting money by any means necessary.Money was flowing and life was all good until hate, betrayal, jealousy and envy joined the family.
The book was a str8 page turner! I couldn't wait to see what would go down next. Reading this book I learned a valuable lesson... Negros ain't about nothing. Lol..I no really, it sad to say that alot of times your family will be the first to betray you. Apart from that I admire two of the brothers bond the third was a sad story. I loved it. Cash never seems to amaze me with his pen game. I can't wait until part two come out.
Brothers Khalil, Basil & Quantavious made a promise to their mother, Black Girl, on her deathbed that they would remain bonded by blood and put family first over everything. Knowing full well that the DNA that coursed through their veins being sons of a pimp and prostitute would prevent them from leading normal lives; Black Girl advised each of her sons how to use their individual talents to rise to the top of Atlanta’s underworld. From pimping, to robbing to slanging Khalil, B-Man & Q will all manipulate every aspect of the game to achieve hood legend status.
Rising to the top of the game wasn’t an issue but staying there will be when jealousy rears its ugly head. Will Black Girl’s prophecy of home being where the hate is force Khalil, B-Man and Q to break their mother’s dying wish? Once again Author Ca$h spins a hood tale full of characters that are so engrossing that you can’t help but to root for them even when they’re doing wrong. Ca$h’s literary talents are undeniable even if you’re not a fan of the genre. An author that hasn’t been in the streets for 20 years to bring those same streets to life so vividly is proof that your mind is always free no matter where your body resides!
Bonded by blood was a good read. Black Girl was a famous prostitute and her pimp Rapheal was the father of her three son's they was well know on the street's of atlanta until something bad that will turn there lifes around for ever they lost there mama black girl to h i v and she tell's them to bonded and do not turn there back's on each other. What you have is parents thats in the street so now these young man are out there making money and everything turn's around for the bad. And when it turn everything is coming out of it they will turn on each other. I can't wait for the next book.
I usually am a HUGE Cash fan. But...this book disappointed me a little bit. One, a lot of things I thought were important seemed not to be and were never mentioned again. I think he spent too much time discussing Rayne for her to become the character that she did. Also, I'm not sure why the book will have a sequel. It seems as though there were only a couple of loose ends that could've been closed in the first book. Because I am curious, I will look for the sequel. All in all a good read but after reading Trust No Man I was expecting so much more.
Lions, tigers and bears, OH MY! This book was constantly busy, not a dull moment, just had you wanting more and more of it. I was sad when it ended but I can't wait to read what's next. B-Man was a straight SUCKA! He let his feelings get in the way and it just may cost his brother his life, he should get it too since he profited off the robbery. Q should've never told him but he was doing what he told his mother that he would do with his brothers, Be Bonded By Blood! Well done again Ca$h!
I'm so mad lol. Ugh Khalil and Q are my favorite. I already knew B-Man was a dirty ass nigga and since this book will have a part two I highly doubt Khalil and Q will die. I hope they don't . Hopefully Vaugh whatever his name is know what was up . Other then that I definitely enjoyed this book (:
This book has a great story line.I loved how it had me interested from start to finish.It had a few errors but to me it didn't take away form the story @ all.I hated the way it ended.I can't 4 part 2.
Like all of CASH'S books I couldn't put it down. This author is a BEAST!! I'm not sure WHAT crime he committed to end up in jail but I hope the brother gets out someday because he's the KING of Urban Fiction and that's the truth!!!!
This is such an explosive story! Just a really good read. The cover says it all, "Bonded By Blood (Three Brothers, One Promise)". Ca$h did not disappoint. *