by Paula Fox
First published 2000
Winter Santiaga arrives in the world during a fierce New York blizzard, earning her name and her fierce nature. The daughter of a successful Brooklyn drug dealer, Winter enjoys wealth, designer clothes, and street credibility. She knows every corner of her neighborhood and trusts her intelligence and charm to handle any situation. Her family controls their territory with money and power. Then everything changes. A bitter wind shifts her world in ways she never expected. Her father's empire faces threats she cannot control. Winter must rely on her street knowledge and persuasive abilities to survive. She refuses to accept defeat or poverty. This Brooklyn teenager will use every skill she possesses to maintain her position. Winter's determination drives her forward even when circumstances turn dangerous. She believes her wit and appeal can overcome any obstacle the streets present to her.
Genres: fiction, crime, urban, family-drama, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: determination, rags-to-riches, street-smarts
Setting: Brooklyn, New York
Period: 20th-century
Library Binding · Bt Bound
Content warnings: drug-use, violence