Southern Trees (Excerpt)

The worst part about living in a small town is that fact that everybody knows everybody. No matter where you go, you are going to cross paths with someone you know. Growing up in the middle of nowhere, I knew Oh’ too well the distress of unwanted attention and super small circles. Living the life I lived, I found myself in a suffocating box, battling the struggles of identifying with society, but more so battling the struggle of identifying with myself.  I knew very early in life that I was unique, special even! Little did I know that my greatest test would be disguised within my infatuation with the same sex.

BUMP THIS

In the typical world of urban fiction so often the lead characters’ socio-economic realities are usually bleak, raw, violent, hopeless, and psychologically; even irreparably damaged. Much of that is true in author LT Ville’s literary universe. But Keith, the 18-year-old black high school senior and narrator, is a refreshing enigma in this exceptionally well-written, funny, romantic, heart-breaking and thought-provoking novel. 

 

JAMAICAN GANGSTERS AND AMERICAN THUGS

Full disclosure. I became acquainted with author J. S. Lewis after reading his brilliant first novel “Jamaican American Thug Drama” two years ago. In those two years this young (now 25 years old), gifted and black Jamaican writer has written and published seven—yes seven—astonishing full length novels to much critical acclaim.