When last we saw Nate Kenny and his ex-wife Monica, they
both had been shot dead by Freddy Ford, the young hustler
who was stripped of his home by Nate's egotistical
machinations and whose girlfriend, having learned of
Freddy's hand in things, had just aborted his baby. Knowing
there was a book three in this series, I couldn't imagine
what the story might be about with Nate, the main character,
deceased.
As is true on soap operas, main characters don't always die,
even when they're dead. Such is the case for Nate Kenny.
He survives four bullet wounds and vows his revenge against
Freddy who not only tried to kill him, but also left Monica
in a coma and abducted his son, Nathaniel.
RM Johnson tells yet another rapid fire tale about how
money—and ego—truly may be the root of all evil. All the
usual suspects return, including Lewis, Monica's former
lover and Freddy's best friend; Daphanie, Nate's former
lover; and Tim, Nate's brother and syncophant.
Unlike the prior book, in which the ending was nothing like
what I expected or wanted for these characters, MILLION
DOLLAR DEMISE left me feeling more satisfied as a reader.
Nate Kenny is still a narcissistic toad, but readers
discover that there is one person he loves more than he
loves himself, and he'll do anything for that person. Tim
finally knows and uses his own mind; Freddy discovers that
his intent to do good is not quite enough.
One recurring theme in this last story has to do with men
willingly taking responsibility for the care and upbringing
of their children, something American society and media
rarely portray as a truth in the African-American community.
Without giving anything away, this truth plays into the
resolution of Nate's relationships with Monica and Daphanie,
at least from a man's perspective. Most women will
understand the origins and emotions behind the conclusion,
even if they, as I do, do not agree with all aspects of it.
Another entertaining read from RM Johnson, MILLION DOLLAR
DEMISE is the last book of the trilogy. But I wouldn't be
surprised to hear from Nate Kenny, one of those characters
readers absolutely love to hate, at least once more.
The tension and suspense are ramped up to new highs in
this eagerly anticipated final installment in Essence
bestselling author RM Johnson's Million Dollar
trilogy.
Picking up where The Million Dollar
Deception left off, Freddy Ford knocks on Nate Kenny's
door, storms into the house, and shoots both Nate and his
ex-wife Monica. But he doesn't stop there -- before driving
off, Freddy manages to escape with little Nathaniel, Nate
and Monica's beloved adopted son, while little Layla sleeps
upstairs.
Nate is expected to survive the brutal
attack, but Monica is left in a coma, and doctors are not
certain that she will ever recover. When Lewis Waters --
Freddy's best friend and Layla's actual father -- visits the
hospital to see Monica, Nate bargains with him: if Lewis can
get Freddy arrested, Nate will give him back his little
girl.
Meanwhile, Daphanie Coleman, the woman Nate had
planned to marry before he sought revenge on Monica, rushes
to Nate's side with plans to get him back by making herself
available to him in his time of crisis. By chance, she meets
Lewis while visiting Monica's bedside, and the two devise a
plan to both get what they want.
When Monica finally
awakens, she opens her eyes to a world in which Daphanie and
Nate are hiding an affair, Lewis and Daphanie are harboring
nasty secrets, and Nate has plotted to steal another man's
child in the name of revenge. Will Monica forgive Nate, whom
she was about to remarry? Will she uncover the truth behind
the love triangle of Daphanie, Lewis, and Nate? And, more
important, can the tragic lovers escape a second attempt on
their lives?