Synopses & Reviews
Jada left home at the age of sixteen, running from her own demons and the horrors of physical abuse inflicted by her mother's boyfriend. She partied hard, and life seemed good when she was with Born, the neighborhood kingpin whose name was synonymous with money, power, and respect. But all his love couldn't save her from a crack addiction. Jada goes from crack addict and prostitute to survivor and back again before she finds the strength to live for herself and come out on top. And her stormy romance with one of the fiercest hustlers on the streets makes White Lines one of the most unforgettable urban loves stories of the year.
Synopsis
Fleeing her home to escape the abuse of her mother's boyfriend, Jada seeks refuge with Born, the neighborhood kingpin, but her new life is threatened by crack addiction, prostitution, a struggle to rebuild her life, and a stormy romance with a street hustler. By the author of Criminal Minded. Reader's Guide included. Original. 35,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Essence bestselling author Tracy Brown's scorching new urban tale about falling in love and one girl's descent into the murky and unrelenting depths of drug addiction
Jada left home at the age of sixteen, running from her own demons and the horrors of physical abuse inflicted by her mother's boyfriend. She partied hard, and life seemed good when she was with Born, the neighborhood kingpin whose name was synonymous with money, power, and respect. But all his love couldn't save her from a crack addiction. Jada goes from crack addict and prostitute to survivor and back again before she finds the strength to live for herself and come out on top. And her stormy romance with one of the fiercest hustlers on the streets makes White Lines one of the most unforgettable urban loves stories of the year.
About the Author
Tracy Brown is the Essence bestselling author of Aftermath, Snapped, Twisted, and Criminal Minded. Writing has always been her passion, and she finds it an honor to depict for her readers the things shes seen and heard. She is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Staten Island.
Reading Group Guide
1. What kind of mother was Edna? Do you think she did her best?2. Jada was cold towards her mother at times. Was she right to be that way toward her?3. Was Edna justified in her decision to throw Jada out of her life after catching her with Mr. Charlie?4. What factors in Borns upbringing do you feel led him to choose the life of a hustler?5. What, if anything, could Leo have done differently in order to change Borns direction in life?6. When Marquis changed his name to “Born” a big change had taken place within him. What were the differences between Marquis and his alter ego “Born”?7. What are your opinions about Ingrid as a mother? What are the differences and similarities between Edna and Ingrid?8. Born was at times a ruthless hustler with blood on his hands and yet inside he still longed for his fathers approval. Do you think Leo approved of his son? Why or why not?9. Born sold crack to Leo and was terribly disappointed in his father as he did so. Was he wrong to sell drugs to his father? Was his father more wrong for buying it?10. Ingrid remained virtually silent when Marquis began to hustle. Do you agree or disagree with her tactics?11. From the get go, Jada admired and was impressed by Sunny. What qualities do you think Sunny possessed that may have intrigued Jada so much?12. Was Born wrong for letting Jada smoke weed at Dorians party, knowing that she was a recovering addict?13. Why do you think it was easier for Edna to reconcile with Ava than it was for her to reconcile with Jada?14. In the days of Jadas early addiction, she saw her mother in the neighborhood and was hurt that her mother walked past her. Was Edna justified?15. As Jada sank lower and lower as a result of her addiction, Ava rose higher and higher academically. Was Jada justified in being resentful? Should Ava have done more for her sister?16. Marquis was so proud to be his fathers son. On his 13th birthday, Leo brought him to a whorehouse. How do you think this affected him? What lessons did Leo teach his son about women?17. Was Ava wrong not to tell her sister that Born had seen her naked? Was Born wrong?
18. Was Sunny a bad influence on Jada or do you think she would have gone back to drugs on her own?19. Did Dorian create a monster in Raquel? Was he to blame for her insane jealousy?20. What are your opinions about Ingrid as a mother? What are the differences and similarities between she and Edna?21. Should Born have thrown Jada out when he discovered her getting high? Whose approach in dealing with his ladys addiction was the better one - Born or Dorian?22. Born enlisted his mothers help in getting rid of Jada after he discovered her getting high. Was Ingrid right to do Borns dirty work for him?23. Do you believe that Jamari loved Jada? 24. What type of woman was Anisa? Did she really love Born? 25. Born overdid it with the material things he provided for his son, similar to the way that Leo had raised him. Do you think his son will repeat his own mistakes? Is he creating a monster?26. Was Sunny a real friend to Jada? Why do you think she came to her rescue after Sheldon was born?27. Did Jamari deserve to die? Was he a good father to his son?28. As Jada and her mother pieced their relationship back together do you think their emotional wounds were healed? Could they have reconciled if Edna had not been sick?29. When they met again after close to ten years both Jada and Born had a lot of pain they still carried around. How did Jadas betrayal affect Borns life? How did Borns departure from Jadas life change her?30. In the end, Born and Jada salvaged a beautiful friendship. Do you think theyll ever be more than just friends?