Power Players

reviewed by Racheal for Diverse Reader

In author Scudder James Jr’s release Power Players, the author’s focus lies within the area of D.C.’s poverty-stricken areas. The two main characters that provide assistance to these areas come at it from different aspects.

Jeffrey was born into poverty. His life was not as uncommon as most kids that lived in and around his neighborhood. Losing is mama at an early age to an illness and tragedy was left to be raised by and abusive drug addicted father. However, Jeffrey was lucky and was given what a lot of kids weren’t, a safe environment to live and the chance to succeed. So to say as an adult his views can be one sided at times could be putting it mildly.

The idea of his friends involving, what he assumes, is a white rich man’s money is quite bothersome to him. Just for the fact that him being white, at times it has been insinuated, that his life and work have come easily for him.

Derek was definitely not what Jeffrey had in mind and was mad that his friends lend him to believe his misconceptions. Not only was Derek not another rich snob, he was truly dedicated to giving back to the community and working hands on with people.

Both men working together on this projection to help their communities soon realize that they needed each other just not for money and social skills but because they finally found that one man that wanted forever with

https://optimumm.blog/2019/10/08/review-of-power-players-by-scudder-james-jr/

Jeffrey grew up in the underbelly of Washington DC. Homeless at fifteen with an abusive father, he works hard to succeed in his life. He’s now the director of a massive coalition of shelters.

Derek grew up in the rich part of Washington DC. He’s now a wealth consultant and a philanthropist. His latest project can change Jeffrey’s coalition of shelters to help more people.

Now, everything can be good, if only Jeffrey and Derek can forget their prejudices and fears.

Power Players by James Jr Scudder is part of the States of Love series. A series of romances that spanned every corner of the United States and written by different authors each time.

I liked this short story, but it was too short, in my opinion. I loved the plot, two men loving DC, one with a rich background—the other with a poor background, but both working to make their city a better place to live for everyone.

I also loved the fact that it was a mixed couple. I loved the author’s style; how he took every prejudice and broke them one by one. Really, this book was good, with a lot of potential.

But it was too short, and because it was too short, we couldn’t explore more about the characters, their stories, and their project. Everything was kind of superficial. We only scratch the surface, and I understand it because of the format (69 pages), but I regret it a little bit. In the end, I was expecting to read that this story was a prequel of Derek and Jeffrey’s book (a girl can dream).

Anyway, all in all, it’s still a good short story that I liked a lot.