cover image Shameless Hoodwives: A Bentley Manor Tale

Shameless Hoodwives: A Bentley Manor Tale

Meesha Mink, De'nesha Diamond, . . Touchstone, $14 (327pp) ISBN 978-1-4165-3754-0

The women of Desperate Housewives and The Real Housewives of New York City have nothing on the shameless ladies of Atlanta’s Bentley Manor. This follow-up to Desperate Hoodwives finds Miz Cleo and Miz Osceola still reigning over an enclave haunted by poverty and crime, and there’s plenty to talk about. Miz Cleo’s crack-addicted granddaughter, Takiah Ray, and her baby, Tanana, return to Bentley to get away from Takiah’s husband, who has begun pimping her out. Jamillah “Princess” Unger, long abused by her mother and a string of deadbeat men, may be able to use her musical talent to finally break free. Keisha Williamson, an aspiring beautician, cares for four children while her husband, Smokey, struggles with drug addiction, and Keisha seeks dangerous solace in his brother’s arms. Woo Woo Moore moves to the burbs after marrying a dentist, but an affair with a drug dealer from the hood may destroy her new life. Mink and Diamond tell it like it is with breathless passion. (Aug.)