ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      Some days I try to be strong, need to be strong when I feel the world is against me, people dead set against me—trying to fade a legend I’m soon to be, trying to become that positive brotha from Jamaica Queens. Determination I bleed, I’ll breathe my last breath to continue on with my dreams. Y’all can hate, but I’m moving on with better means, got success building in my blood stream. My anger and rage I now press down on a pen, spread my word like a trend, won’t let a negative situation eat me from within. With God on my side, I can carry twice the weight, ignore the nay say, and guarantee my fate is for better days. Look into my eyes and you know I’m serious with this, and watch me touch you wit’ the pen, have you hooked on my book like a new drug, and daze you wit’ some urban love. Keeping my head above the skies, as I hit you with my urban style—creativity burns through my skin, and to let you know, I’m sentenced to life wit’ a gift.

      First, I thank God for the talents He blessed me with. It’s my gift from Him. Now, what I do with it is my gift back to Him. I’m blessed with this. With every book, I’m getting better at it.

      Second, I got to give love to my daughter, my true love, heart and soul. Emari Gray, I love you, girl. You know Daddy is in this to win.

      Third, I thank God for the parents He blessed me with, Alinda and Spencer Gray; they keep me standing strong with the courage to carry on. They watched me grow, and when I was about to buckle and fold, they were the ones to come along, pray for me and unfold the one they loved and watched grow.

      Before I go on, Lauren Hamilton, thank you for your love and support, and coming up with the *69 input to the book. You are a beautiful and creative woman. You know I love you.

      I can’t forget to show love to my sisters and brothers, Tanya, Terry, Pat and Vincent. We’ve recently lost one—rest in peace, Corey L. Gray. But as a family, we’re still strong, and our younger brother still lives on through us, as we continue to carry on the family name.

      Also, I thank Mark Anthony and all he’s done for me and the Q-Boro family. You’re blessed with Q-Boro, a company meant for such great things. You inspire me and others to keep reaching for their dreams.

      Next, I gotta show much love to Augustus Publishing, Anthony Whyte and Jay, my brothers from another mother. Y’all are blessed with business and creative genes. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to get another book out. I see great things in our future; you know we make a mean team.

      Linda Williams, you know I have to thank you, too. You’re a wonderful woman, always caring, and thank you for always being there to listen. I appreciate and love everything you do for me.

      Nakea, my homegirl from Philly—city of brotherly love, thanks for being a friend, a listener, and a great publicist to us all. You, Mark, and the rest all make up an excellent team.

      Thanks, Tasha Herman, who also reps South Jamaica, Queens. Thanks for reading my stories beforehand, and showing me support with your input and opinion.

      Gale, Ebony, Irvin and family, I miss y’all next door, but I know that God has better things in store for the family. Y’all keep being positive and strong.

      My peoples who I’ve known forever, David Beaumont, K.T, Ryan, Sean, Hasheem, Jamel Rice, my cousin,

      Jamel Johnson, Lovey, Michael Thompson, Jerry A.K.A Law, James, Bryant, Lanise and Tania, thanks for holding it down. Gregory G. Goff, rest in peace, and thank you, too.

      Shenetta, thanks for gracing your beauty on my new Ghetto Heaven cover. You’re a beautiful girl, inside and out. I know you’re about to blow up soon, and I felt privileged working next to you for my book cover. Peace, beautiful.

      Shavett, you know I had to shout you out in this book, too. You are so cool and down to earth. Keep being you, and keep doing your thang. Never change for anyone.

      Okay, this next statement is going to take a minute, so bear with me as I shout out K’wan, Brandon McCalla, Tracy Brown, Ebony Stroman, Denise Campbell, T.N Baker, Kashamba Williams, Ed Mcnair, Hickson, Asante, Thomas Long, Mo Shines, Dejon, Kiniesha Gayle, K. Elliott, Anna J., Joe-Joe, Al-Saadiq Banks, Crystal Lacey, Jihad, Treasure E. Blue, Vonetta Pierce, Danielle Santiago, C. Rene West, Azarel, Shannon Holmes, Ike Capone, Carl Weber, TL Gardner, Gerald K. Malcom, Gayle Jackson Sloan, Dynah Zale, Tu-Shonda Whitaker, Zane, Brenda L Thomas, S.A. Sabuur, Deborah and many more in this game. Let us continue to blow up this genre. If I missed you, I did-n’t forget about you.

      I got to thank Coast 2 Coast and the ARC book club for them online chats. Y’all know I’m always looking forward to them. Thank you for helping to put us authors out there in the market and keeping us on the map.

      And last of all, I’m shouting out myself for getting things done. I’m thankful for everything, even for my downs, because it’s made me a stronger and better person today. And I thank my fans and readers for showing me that love and support. Thank you.

       AUTHOR’S NOTE: