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Daily Online Read: Street Life by Rochelle Alers
by Anonymous on January 11th, 2008, 11:18am
Reader Discretion Advised: this story contains scenes of explicit sexuality.
Myles Ellison is tall, built and powerful. He’s intelligent, sexy and likes to give expensive presents.
But Adina Jenkins doesn’t care. Because she isn’t going to fall in love with him. She’s going to rob him.
Adina is a hustler. She seduces her targets, gets them to reveal all of their secrets and then sets them up to be taken for all that they’re worth. She feels no guilt or compunction—they’re not saints and she does what has to do.
Their money is her only way out of the street life.
Click here to read Chapter ONE of Street Life!
About the author:
Rochelle Alers has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most popular African-American authors of women's fiction. With nearly two million copies of her novels in print, Ms. Alers is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. A native New Yorker, Ms. Alers currently lives on Long Island.
A good start.
I'll be back tomorrow.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Very very
Very very interesting ....Looking forward to finding out more about this character.
Street Life
I'm looking forward to a very spirited discussion of the characters from STREET LIFE. This online read is a prequel to AFTER HOURS, whch will definitely raise a few eyebrows before its conclusion.
Read on and enjoy.
Rochelle Alers
I read the first chapter and
I read the first chapter and can't wait for the second chapter tomorrow.
Tiffany
BJBC
My Shelfari Page
Oh I love and hate daily
Oh I love and hate daily onlines. The wait kills me.
I am excited about the online though and look forward to reading After Hours. Too bad I can't pre-order this month.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
I couldn't get in here last
I couldn't get in here last night after I read the chapter. Glad it's up and running now.
This seems like it's going to be an interesting read.
Sounds to me....
like Myles and Adina know each other from another time/place?
Looking forward to the next chapter of this tale, Rochelle! So good to see you've already made an appearance! We love it when the authors join us, so hopefully you'll have time to pop in often.
Hugs,
April
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.... but it won't go far without the rest of your body.
Yup they knew each other
Yup they knew each other April
Rochelle that was an intersting place to leave us hanging... is he on to her...
Hey Rochelle, I tried to
Hey Rochelle, I tried to look up the blurb on After Hours and it's not there...
Also, I'll second what April said, it's always great fun for us when the author's participate in the discussion
This is very interesting
Both the H and the h appear to be hustlers. Now, who hustles who? And who is Payne? You paint him as a Robin Hood character, but also label him "pimp". I have never seen a pimp handled as a positive character.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
If this is a prequel
I have to assume that they won't end up together... which will make this a very unusual story on a lot of levels... One of the first romance books that I ever read was called Dry Hustler, and this kind of reminds me of that one. I look forward to seeing where this goes!
Author participation
I will definitely pop in and out to attempt to answer a few queries about STREET LIFE . This online read is just a warm-up to AFTER HOURS.
Fake Frenchie
Robin Hood or not, a pimp will never be a positive character. Payne has his own twisted reasons for robbing other criminals. You'll see more of him in the online read and in AFTER HOURS.
Hmmm, I've never read any
Hmmm, I've never read any of your stuff Rochelle, now I'm wondering if he's been undercover for a few years or if he's really a bookie. He seems to have a lot of respect for her which makes me think he may be a good guy... hmmm, you've got me thinking and coming back for more...
Rochelle
Robin Hood or not, a pimp will never be a positive character.
That's good to know. I was a little worried since I was wondering who would be the "good guy". Payne or Myles? Maybe there isn't one? Or maybe it's like Papaya said, and Myles is undercover.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Me, too!
I wondered the same thing, Papaya and FF! I just wish my brain wasn't so muddled from sleep that I could work on figuring it out.
Or maybe I should just sit back and enjoy the ride?
Another great chapter, Rochelle! Interested to see what you have in store for us tomorrow.
Hugs,
April
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.... but it won't go far without the rest of your body.
Rochelle
It is the first time i read a storie/prequel/novel by you. And like star I love/hate this daily reads.
I'm not very familiar with the term hustler and what is exactly they do...but i can tell from what i've read so far that it's not a very good life. I like your character Adina and the fact that she is trying her best to get out of this life. Now the question is, will feelings for myles get involved preventing her to do her "job"?
Can't hardly wait for the next chapter.
See this is where my
See this is where my problem begins. I tried to wait to Friday and couldn't resist. So after 3 very interesting chapters I wait.
Do I read tomorrow or wait until Friday?
With these kinds of stories you never know if there is a good guy or not. I've definitely learned you don't get the happily ever after every time. I always have to remind myself that the "romance formula" doesn't guide these kinds of stories.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
The undercover theory works.
The undercover theory works. We know from the back blurb for After Hours that Adina will run after discovering a hit is out on her. ?'s ?'s.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
Single and Loving It
A hustler is the same as a grifter - people who acquire money or property by illicit means. STREET LIFE is not a romance, which means it is not formulaic. What I like most about Adina is her grit and spunkiness. Read on and enjoy.
Hmmm, I like Adina, she's
Hmmm, I like Adina, she's doing what it takes to get out, but boy she's playing and has played some dangerous games!
Thanks Rochelle
Thank you for enlightening me....well about not being a romance...the more I read things become clearer. I loving adina...specially how she can wrap a man around her fingers
and I'm very much enjoying the story....can't wait to see how this ends....
Street Life
Okay Rochelle, I love your work, but I don't like to WAIT. The reading get good,and I have to WAIT and come back the next day.I don't like that. LOL Love the story so far. When I think of your books I think romance, it nice to see you do a little street.LOL Can't WAIT for the next chapter.
Shaquaila
This read is making me edgy.
I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm curious to see how you are going to handle the story line, but half afraid at the same time. Good for you.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Interesting way to
Interesting way to gamble! I keep waiting for something bad to happen.
I'm kind of scared Adina is going to get hurt... I think because this hits close to home. I volunteer for an agency that works with youth at risk... Adina has a lot going for her by realizing she needs to stay away from the booze and drugs until she can get herself and her family out of there... but boy what risks she's taking to do it!
I was thinking....
that Myles might take a gander at her purse and find the $$$ he gave her. Something's going to 'get' her.
Ugh, I hate weekends re: the reads. Looking forward to more, Rochelle!
Hugs,
April
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.... but it won't go far without the rest of your body.
Waiting
I'm just waiting on one of her past "dates" to run into her and say something.
Papaya
You're so right about Adina playing a very dangerous game. At no time can she afford to make a mistake. What she's become is a very clever and talented actress playing a role where her life on the line each and every time she leaves her apartment.
Once you read AFTER HOURS you'll see why she doesn't drink or do drugs.
Theories
I agree with the theory that Myles is not exactly what he seems to be.
I also feel like Payne will def be someone you love to hate. 
I also wonder if after 10years of working for payne shouldn't she have more that $20,000 I just feel like that is such a low number. I am curious to see what happened on her last mission. It seems as though she may have been raped. What about her daughter I would love to know what there relationship is?
Smooches,
Carmel Beauty
" Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important, in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
Dangerous game
You're so right, Meapey. Adina is playing a very dangerous game with a man who would not hesitate to "hurt" Adina if he knew her objective. Myles is smart, but she's smarter because she's so attuned to the male ego. Things will begin to heat up in Chapter 6.
I ordered After Hours today.
I ordered After Hours today. Can't wait to read it!
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
Past "dates"
You're right, Sally. Although the borough of Brooklyn is quite big, it isn't that big. You'll see this to be the case in the opening chapters of AFTER HOURS.
Thanks Ladyquay
I love penning romances, but writing STREET LIFE and AFTER HOURS afforded me a sense of freedom wherein I was able to run amuck with plotlines and characters. Waiting for the next day to read the next chapter can be frustrating, but hopefully the wait will be worth it.
Carmel Beauty
You've asked questions that will be answered in STREET LIFE and AFTER HOURS. All I can say is, "Girl, you're good!" Stay tuned!
Hi Star
Thanks for ordering AFTER HOURS. I hope you'll enjoy it.
Not Myles
By her reaction to his kisses, I don't think he is the hero.
I had thought before reading that that maybe he was undercover.
But I think the true hero, has yet to appear and that he will be the one she runs away with to hide, a Mr. Hot Cop to the rescue.
I cannot wait until Monday
I cannot wait until Monday to see what is going to happen next with Adina and Myles.
Tiffany
BJBC
My Shelfari Page
Games
This feel like a date, and it's about to get hot. Then your Mom calls, and you just can't get the groove back.LOL
The real is I have seen this world or street life, and it's not a game. For some this all they know, it's sad but true.
But hey you know me I can't WAIT for the next chapter.
Shaquaila
For all her smarts, I think
For all her smarts, I think she is a little naive to think Payne will just let her go when she decides to quit.
Hope Myles passed out on the floor... sounds like he might have a gambling addiction if he could forget he had Adina "waiting" for him in the room!
Still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
She is becoming more of a person, a better person, but he is sliding fast into the crud pile.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
This could be bad for Adina....
Big hulky drunk guy trying to paw at her.... Maybe he passed out when he hit the floor, with just a little help from hitting his head on it.
He just left a wad of cash on the dresser.... Will she grab it and run? Or will she still hold out for the 'big score' for Payne?
Hugs,
April
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.... but it won't go far without the rest of your body.
Dangerous Game
Adina is a playing a very dangerous game with Myles, but remember she's also a pro.
I've known men and women who've hustled for so long that they aren't able to give it up, because they don't know how to do anything else.
I went to college with girls whose boyfriends were also college graduates, yet got into illegal activities because they claimed they earned more money in a week than in a year of teaching or practicing social work. Of course, most of them ended up in prison, This is one of the reasons why Adina wants out.
Stay tuned for more surprises!
yet got into illegal
yet got into illegal activities because they claimed they
earned more money in a week than in a year of teaching or practicing
social work.
Yes, the almighty dollar is a powerful motivator.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Street Life
Rochelle, I am loving the online read. I love all of your other stories/novels etc so I can't even being to imagine how you are going to weave Payne, Miles and Adina together.
I made a note to read each day so I don't miss anything. I am also ordering After Hours which I am sure is like icing on the cake...
This story is soo intense.
Adina is strong, but she is also vulnerable. Good job at characterization, Rochelle.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Thoughts
At this point in the story we have gotten a glimpse of Myles that I really didn't like. He is def not a clear cut good guy posing as a bad boy.
What he is exactly is still not quite clear though. Adina may want out of the "life", but I am not sure she understands exactly what she has gotten herself into with these men. Your past never really goes away especially in the "life" she is currently leading so it will come back to bite her in the a$$ later. 
Can't wait to see how Myles plays it tomorrow.
Smooches,
Carmel Beauty
" Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important, in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
This story is soo intense.
You're right Frenchy. The tension arises from whether Adina 's motives will be revealed to her "mark" or "target." That's always the downside of a criminal's lifestyle. He/she can never let down their guard or completely relax.
Street Life
Hi Ikia. I'm so glad to read your post. STREET LIFE is just the warm-up to AFTER HOURS. I'm not going to give the plot away, but in the full-length novel you'll get to see how difficult it will be for Adina to leave the street life.
Think of what Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" had to endure before she finally got off the Hollywood strip.
Thoughts
How right you are, Carmel Beauty. You can run from your past, but somehow it always comes back to revisit you at another time in your life. What's the expression about what you do in the dark will be revealed in the light? The only thing I'm going to say about Adina is that she's been able to survive a decade of hustling because she's able to emotionally detached herself from the men with whom she's become involved.
Stay tuned for the next chapter.
This is incredibly
This is incredibly intense! I'm loving Adina's character (although I don't know if I would have done such a good job of cleaning Myles up). Rochelle you're doing a great job with Adina and keeping us coming back for more!
It's amazing Adina is as strong as she is and didn't crack under the pressure from her mom. Good thing the mom skipped out. Can't imagine being forced to sleep with a whoring drunk night after night.