A Thug’s Redemption
by Yani

Not your typical "thug" in this urban-tragic drama full of suspense with a twist of irony. A Thug’s Redemption hits home for many urban youths who simply just want to make it out of the ’hood ALIVE! Taking place in one of the roughest neighborhoods in North Philly during a time when crime and violence was as normal as hot-sauce on fried chicken, and the temptations of the profitable street pharmacy business seemed to be a fast escape from the impoverish and hellish nightmare that Jamal and his brother lived in, this street lit novel teaches a harsh life lesson that will either cause Jamal to make wiser decisions, or destroy him completely. What starts out as an eye for an eye mindset to avenge his best friend’s murder, who Jamal believed was killed because of his own actions, sucks him into the street life and lands him right in the middle of a drug war between his cousin Samir, a prominent head figure in the drug dealing business, rival drug gangs, and crooked Philadelphia Police Officers. Jamal is viewed as a "thug", a misguided, trouble making, dope dealing, dice shooting, fist fighting thug who is more likely to see the closing lid to his casket or the sliding bars to a jail cell before the age of 21. But those who know Jamal personally understand that really all he wants is to keep his brother safe and have a life with a beautiful young lady named Tamera who helps him to see that there is much more to life outside of what he’s been exposed to in North Philly. But can Jamal really have that life, or is it like Biggie Smalls said- "It was all a dream…"?

A desperate move by his younger brother Shawn brings back the haunting night from Jamal’s past where he caught his first body, killing the person responsible for taking out his best friend. And now despite how hard he’s tried to protect his brother from the life he was exposed to, Shawn could possibly face jail time for a murder he didn’t commit or worse… Just when Jamal thinks he’s out debt to his cousin Samir for helping him carrying out the hit years before, Jamal is back at his mercy only this time, the payment for his debt may be more than what he can afford to spare. In this urban fiction drama, what goes around, comes around and Karma comes back to claim what the universe is owed in the worse possible way for Jamal. But to protect the people he loves, Jamal is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it costs him his life.