Ain't No Sunshine (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Candice Dow, Spruce Street, South Florida (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Laila grew up in foster homes after being abandoned by her mother at birth. At 17, she begins sneaking out to dance at a strip club. When David pulls her out of the club, she's certain he is someone she can depend on. To her horror, David is an abusive drunk. She then works for Dr. Freid, a chiropractor she met as he tended a wound inflicted by David; he implores her to leave the abusive relationship and helps her get out of Florida. She starts over in Philadelphia working for Dr. Freid's friend. One of her co-workers, Jordan, introduces her to poetry slams and encourages her to read her work. John has been watching Laila for months and approaches her about putting her poetry to music. Eventually, John and Laila are lovers. Their relationship gets serious when John introduces Laila to his son, his ex, and his mother. Their future holds so much promise until a friend betrays them both. Can their love overcome the pain? Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758210558
• ISBN-13: 978-0758210555
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,301,402 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Ray of Sunshine, June 13, 2006

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW...Now This Was Good., July 11, 2006

By	N. Powell "topazzz6" (Albany,NY) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sun Will Shine Again....., August 25, 2006

By	Valerie A. Withers "Author" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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