Rage Times Fury (Triple Crown Publications Presents)
Bronx native and debut novelist Trustice Gentles is featured on Bronxnet TV's popular Bronx Magazine program. Gentles, who has been confronted by angry individuals thinking that they are portrayed in the novel, enjoys the healthy buzz. ''My main focus is to have the book out there and to have people talking,'' says the author, 30. ''Talking can lead to positive solutions to violence in our Bronx community, and that's the goal. I have always enjoyed writing.'' Being born and raised in the Bronx, NY, there was never a lack of subjects to write about. ''Growing up in the Bronx, I had a lot of friends who sold marijuana and crack cocaine. Most of them are dead, in jail or still addicted to drugs. Although I was younger than they were, I was always around them. I saw and went through a lot of things that they did - territory conflicts, drama with the cops and other various street issues, all of which inspired me to write short stories about my experiences. As I got a little older, I briefly hustled as well. I wanted fast money at that point. After a few close scrapes and not making the money I expected to, I stopped selling. I went to college and got an Associate's degree. Still living in the Bronx, I see that the game has not changed, only the players. I decided to write about my many experiences. Thus my first novel, Rage Times Fury. Rage Times Fury is the story of parents' quests for vengeance when tragedy strikes their family. Anyone who has kids or family can relate to the range of emotions that the main characters, Malik and his girlfriend Soraya, go through as they try to raise two kids in the tough streets of Brooklyn, NY as best they can - not an easy task with all the hustlers, thugs and drug dealers. They devise a masterful plan to get revenge on the people responsible for their tragedy, racing this story to a surprising ending. In writing this book, I wanted to show that people could use their intelligence to solve problems instead of using stereotypical gunplay tactics. They manipulate people and situations to their advantage, not unlike manipulation that occurs in any company or corporation in the world. In this respect, people can relate to this story universally. This story had to be real. Every event that occurs is driven by a previous one. They aren't gratuitous but driven by real emotions, whether it is positive or negative,'' said Gentles.