SHINE - Aja
The Enigma Series (An Enigma Series Origin Story)
She Love Words Publishing
BUY
Brenda Larnell (A)
HISTRICAL ROMANCE (1980s)
REVIEW: THEE Enigma Series continues with an in-depth look at one of Elijah “Smoke” Lewis’ “associates” Michael “Shine” Ferrell. Shine is not new to the Enigma Series. He is the father of Mena, the woman who stole Maestro’s heart. If you have no idea who I am talking about, I suggest you catch up and delve into this series starting with SMOKE (Book #1). You can thank me later.
This story is a well-written historical fiction. The Prologue takes us back to 1964 where we meet Shine’s mother, Deena, and the predicament that she is facing that impacts her life and her son’s life. In Chapter One, it’s1981, and Shine, a high school dropout, continues his education in the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His reputation is growing, he dresses like the street princes of the day, takes care of his mother, his crew, and saves his money that he hustles for. He “shines.” I have to stop here. I know this character…the Shines who ruled the corners of the hood, sold drugs, carried weapons, dressed well, did not play, and had their own code of honor that protected those who had nothing to do with that life. That is what attracted me to this story. It is gritty, and it depicts a true picture of the 80’s when drugs made their way into our city neighborhoods, flourished, and how we all became victims of the fall-out and after-math of that era.
The series’ character connections are tight. Shine’s rise to the top of his game includes Smoke, SMOKE (Book #1), Shine’s daughter, Mena, MAESTRO (Book #2), and other side characters who play minor roles in Shine’s life. There is also a romantic element that plays out with Shine and the love of his life, Tamia.
SHINE is a layered story that is enhanced by the well-crafted timeline. The character Shine is in good company because he is an enigma, a bit of a mystery, as are the other characters in this series, Smoke, Maestro and Slick, and they are all brought to life brilliantly through the written word by Aja. I recommend SHINE for your reading pleasure.
15th November 2024 | romcol@gmail.com
This story is a well-written historical fiction. The Prologue takes us back to 1964 where we meet Shine’s mother, Deena, and the predicament that she is facing that impacts her life and her son’s life. In Chapter One, it’s1981, and Shine, a high school dropout, continues his education in the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His reputation is growing, he dresses like the street princes of the day, takes care of his mother, his crew, and saves his money that he hustles for. He “shines.” I have to stop here. I know this character…the Shines who ruled the corners of the hood, sold drugs, carried weapons, dressed well, did not play, and had their own code of honor that protected those who had nothing to do with that life. That is what attracted me to this story. It is gritty, and it depicts a true picture of the 80’s when drugs made their way into our city neighborhoods, flourished, and how we all became victims of the fall-out and after-math of that era.
The series’ character connections are tight. Shine’s rise to the top of his game includes Smoke, SMOKE (Book #1), Shine’s daughter, Mena, MAESTRO (Book #2), and other side characters who play minor roles in Shine’s life. There is also a romantic element that plays out with Shine and the love of his life, Tamia.
SHINE is a layered story that is enhanced by the well-crafted timeline. The character Shine is in good company because he is an enigma, a bit of a mystery, as are the other characters in this series, Smoke, Maestro and Slick, and they are all brought to life brilliantly through the written word by Aja. I recommend SHINE for your reading pleasure.
15th November 2024 | romcol@gmail.com
(A)
