Customer Reviews

Ain't No Sunshine

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Abandoned at birth and moving from home to home in the foster care system, seventeen-year-old Laila found an outlet--stripping. Using her stage name, Quiet Storm, she was able to earn some money, get away from her miserable existence, and in some ways replace her need to feel loved. When she meets David Dubois in the strip club, his thought is not to exploit her, but to get her away from the lifestyle. They both have something in common; his mother had abandoned him also. Using this bond as the foundation of their early relationship, he takes Laila into his home and shows her a new way of life, giving her a ray of sunshine.

Four years later, Laila finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship and the light slowly dwindling from her life. He is very controlling and possessive, never wanting her out of his sight. Through it all, Laila has maintained a job as a medical assistant with a local chiropractor. When Dr. Freid can no longer hide the fact he knows what's going on in her relationship, he offers her a chance to get away and start a new life. On the run and constantly looking over her shoulder for David, her life takes some incredible twists and turns that will bring her back to the place she left in order to face a few demons from her past.

In her second release, AIN'T NO SUNSHINE, Candice Dow explores the anatomy of living with and in the aftermath of abuse. She, of course, mixes it up with a few developments that will make you go `hmmmm'. Dow's writing allowed me to feel a connection with the main character of this novel. Although I have never been in a physically abusive relationship, I felt all of her experiences. This book held me captive for a few hours as I nursed Laila during her trials and applauded with joy once she was able to secure some happiness. This book raises some very sensitive issues that I'm sure will garner much discussion among readers.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was a novel that I just could not put down I was reading it when I was cooking,cleaning,working and even when I took my son to his swimming class. Very well written,this novel begins with Laila who is sneaking out of her group home to go stripping.
People think women or young girls could never have gone through this stuff but let me tell you I have seen it in reality.
Laila ends up meeting her savior"David" who takes her out of her misery only to then be subjected to domestic violence.
Laila is a strong minded intelligent young black women who ends up getting away from this fool and then starts to actually live life. But don't take a breath because life being what it is Laila is thrown a few more curveballs. Beautiful job Candice, once again this author has weaved a tale of unforgettable characters.

Candice Dow's `Ain't No Sunshine' is a poignant example of how you can overcome an abusive, controlling, unhealthy relationship, and come out on the other side of the fence a better and stronger person.

The main character Laila is a seventeen year-old girl who's lived the better part of her life on her own. Abandoned by her mother at birth, she's been shuffled from one foster home to the next. Along her life's journey she meets a man who soon becomes her savior. David Dubois, who like Laila was abandoned as a baby by his mother, delivers Laila from herself and life on the streets only to create another level of hell for her inside his own home.

The author craftily rescues Laila from her situation some several years later, which allows her to find a way to live again, and she learns to cope with her tremulous past.

Be forewarned that the beginning is a little slow as the author attempts to mold the characters, but half way throughout the book, the story line picks up, and you won't be able to put it down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who as ever been in a relationship that they know they shouldn't have been in, and never found the strength to leave. Maybe Laila's story will inspire you to do so.

Reviewed by Valerie A. Withers
Author of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. & The Choices That We Make

Candice Dow's Ain't No Sunshine is a story of absolute survival. The book's hero is lovely Laila who proves that facing the future is often running to, not running away.

Given away at birth, existing in foster care, she is saved by a knight in shining armor (so she thinks). Fleeing her group home a few nights a week, she earns money as a stripper in a nightclub. Thus enters the handsome David Dubois who offers to help her out of the nightmare she has been living. What lies ahead is anything more than what she could've expected. Oh what a tangled web we weave....

After a few years, Laila realizes she can no longer live with David. With the help of a great patron and his friend, she is off to a new life in a new town in a different state. What develops is a seesaw ride that never stops. Each chapter brought me new characters to meet as I raced with Laila through the happenings in her life.

She meets two other men who play important roles in her future development. One man allows her the sweetness of affection after her break up with David. The other offers her much more. Yet, the ultimate test lies in a much deeper truth and final confrontations with her past.

Candice Dow is a talented and creative writer. She proves Ain't No Sunshine just isn't the case. The sun always comes out tomorrow if we just hold on until that day. Her latest novel will keep you holding on and cheering her heroine to wonders of a new and fulfilling life to come. I couldn't put this book down.

Armchair Interview says: If you like to get deeply involved with a character's life, this book is for you.

Way to go Candice!!! I loved this book! I was hooked after reading the first page! You are doing it girl, I read that book in like five hours because I could not put it down! I was mad when I finished it because I wanted MORE!!!!! Get it everybody because you won't be dissappointed!

In this page turning, very well written novel about Laila who was abandoned a birth by her mother and her home is a group home in Miami. She turns to stripping and one night meets the dubonair David Dubois. Well over the span of four years, she finds David is a over protective nut who likes to beat women and full of rage.She is given the opportunity to leave and relocate leaving him without a trace. She then comes in contact with other obstacles and drama such as coming in contact with her past and the family she never knew.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much, I finished it in 12 hours! Job well done Candice and continued success!!

Abandoned by her mother at birth, Laila has spent her life searching for love and a family to call her own. She thought she found that in David DuBois, but his love hurts. His love left bruises. His love left scars. His love left her emotionally drained.

Believing that there must be more to life and knowing that hers could come to an abrupt end with David, Laila flees north for her freedom and healing. New city. New job. New attitude. Old baggage. Can Laila find the love and happiness she so desires?

Author Candice Dow returns with another solid and entertaining novel.

This book was a good read. I could not put this book down. I would recommond anyone that is interested in reading a good book, to purchase this one and read it.

Neglected from birth, Laila has her share of expected issues. Therefore, it is no wonder that she ignores all the clearing warning signs and devotedly clings to those who hurt her repeatedly. From the beginning from her stripping partner, to her abusive lover and even in Philly with her co-worker and best friend, Laila's need to belong and be love leaves only her with emotional scarring.

But like they say in every dark cloud there is a silver lining and his name is John. John is everything a woman could want: tall, fine, dark, handsome, young, ambitious, a good father and friend as well as a great lover. His only downfall is his baby mama; a broad who seem to not be able to play her position. But like Bob Marley say, "your worst enemy can be your very best friend and your best friend, your worst enemy".

Just when things seem to be going beautifully, everything goes wrong. While battling having to face a past she finally accepted did not exist, Laila is faced with losing her new found happiness and facing some hard unbelievable truths.

It seems as though unfortunetly I do not share in the 'rave' reviews for this book...I just finished it last night (3/22/10) and I must conclude that this book was 95% boring and the other 5% left me with WTF! on my lips. Laila though I understand she went through a hard life I just couldn't muster up alot of sympathy for her. She slept w/ Jordan after knowing him less than a week and was pissed when things blew up in her face. (Duh?!) and I must say for most of this book she just plain got on my nerves. Also I found that she was very naive in alot of ways and whiny! The whole 'twist' of David and Laila ending up related was dumb and it felt like the author was trying to make something out of an already boring story. I just couldn't buy it and it wasn't even hard to fiqure it out (I'd already done so when it came to the Laila/David related thing and the the betrayl of Danielle early on)I should have known I wasn't gonna feel this book by this author because I read A HIRE LOVE months ago and didn't like that one either...so this will be my last time purchasing another book by Ms. Dow. This book absolutely did not do it for me....