“As in Shakespeare’s plays, universal elements of love, sex, jealousy, betrayal, murder, and revenge make for compelling storytelling in urban fiction.”
ISBN: 978-1425711047
Is it Suicide or Murder?
The debut novel in the book series is titled The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? This novel was penned by Kevin M. Weeks in Augusta, Georgia and published in September 2006. Is It Suicide or Murder? is categorized as an urban crime fiction novel. The setting takes place in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, to include Norristown and Conshohocken. The main character Teco (pronounced tea-co) Jackson is introduced in this book. Weeks recalls conjuring up the name Teco out of thin air while hoping that one day the name would become so popular that families would name their baby boys Teco.
A suburban reader, who was new to urban crime fiction, jokingly said, “Teco is bad, but I can’t put the novel down.” As a result of Kevin M. Weeks’ storytelling ability, he received the following awards and recognition for The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?
New York Book Festival Award
Hollywood Book Festival, Honorable Mention
ISBN: 978-1425797126
Is it Passion or Revenge?
The sophomore novel in the book series is titled The Street Life Series: Is It Passion or Revenge? This novel was penned by Kevin M. Weeks in Chester, Georgia and published in January 2008. Is It Passion or Revenge? is categorized as a crime fiction novel. The main character Teco Jackson meets statuesque and quick-witted female Detective Hanae Troop, who Library Journal Book Reviewer Rollie Welch calls a “cops cop.” In addition, Kevin M. Weeks' love for stage performance and music shines through in this novel. The setting of the story takes place in the Washington, D.C. area, to include P.G. County Maryland.
After reading the second book in the series, readers ask, “When is Teco Jackson coming to my town?” Weeks commits that each novel in the series will take place in a major city across the globe. For Weeks’ storytelling ability, he received the following award and recognition for The Street Life Series: Is It Passion or Revenge?
London Book Festival Award
National Best Books Awards Finalist
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention
Beach Book Festival, Honorable Mention
Historical Fiction
“From the beginning of this [Civil War] struggle, [African Americans] took part—on the Union side thousands of run-a-way slaves joined the Army and Navy. Likewise thousands took part on the Confederate side actuated by a type of loyalty unsurpassed by human annals.”
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press (1983)
ISBN: 978-1453555255
Engtangled in Freedom by Ann DeWitt and Kevin M. Weeks
The young adult historical fiction novel titled Entangled In Freedom was written in Atlanta, Georgia. This book was a collaboration between Ann DeWitt, a family genealogist and family historian. Entangled in Freedom explores the civil war from an African-American vantage point that is often overlooked. The premise is that former slaves significantly contributed to the building of the United States military during the U.S. Civil War and have earned their rightful place as part of United States military history. Ann DeWitt and Kevin M. Weeks received the following recognition for Entangled In Freedom.
Mom's Choice Awards, Best in Family-Friendly Media, Products, and Services for Young Adult Historical Fiction
Moonbeam Children's Award
Sons of Confederate Veterans Bonnie Blue Society Award
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention
The New England Book Festival, Honorable Mention
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same.”
ISBN: 978-1441566218
Is it Rags or Riches?
The third novel in the book series is titled The Street Life Series: Is It Rags or Riches? This novel was penned by Kevin M. Weeks in Chester, Georgia and published in October 2009. Is It Rags or Riches? is categorized as a crime fiction novel. The setting takes place in Atlanta, Georgia; and the landmark king and queen towers in Sandy Springs are symbolic of the chess game of life.
Kevin is also the first African-American urban author to grace a crime fiction book cover with a white police detective. His point is that both sides of the aisle have to demonstrate diversity and inclusion. In this novel, we witness a transformation in Teco Jackson. For the novel The Street Life Series: Is It Rags or Riches, he received the following recognition:
African-American Pavilion at BookExpo America Award
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention
Hollywood Book Festival, Honorable Mention