Whore

by Tanika Lynch, Mia McPherson (Editor), Maxine Thompson (Editor)

Whoever said whoring wasn't easy, never lied! But somebody had to do it! Working the mean streets of Detroit was getting hard on young Kamone, with two small mouths to feed. Forced to get on the grind non-stop by her madam, Cookie, after being abandoned by her dope fiend, HIV infected mother, there's nothing Kamone won't do to get that paper - drugs, murder, sex, lies and videotapes! That is, until she is scandalously set up to be raped, drugged and left for dead. Just when Kamone thinks it's the end, she finds what every bad girl longs for - a bad boy with a heart, who literally picks her up out of the gutter. But will Lucci's thug passion be enough to satisfy Kamone's lustful habits? Or will she run back to the only life she knows?

Genres: Urban, African American, Romance, Fiction, Adult

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2002

Reviews

[Lesa Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did have me crying at the end it was as if she couldn't get a break always was something must worster for her around the corner But, love the book. Lots of drama from the beginning to the end had me flipping pages after pages.

[Ashlei A.K.A Chyna Doll · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best hands down

I found this book when I went to Michigans Huron Valley women's correctional (" The Valley") and a few women had the book, I asked what they were reading and told me a girl that was in there for murder had wrote it. Her name is Tanika Lynch, she was a wonderful person a great friend and amazing lady! All she had been through she still had the brains to keep her head up.

Well this was a urban genre and I didn't really connect with them but this book is for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced fun read. I hope one day the author will make more books like this one on the outside but UNTILL then stay strong girl!! ALOT of people are rooting for you and are behind you 100%

[Meagan]

I read this book back in middle school and I remember damn near everything about it. Something must have really resonated with me to have such a vivid recollection of this book. I want to read it again and see if I still feel the same way.

[Steve Duong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in 6th grade along with a plethora of Triple Crown Series books. Sure, skanky, ghetto, useless-trash could be words describing these books but I see it differently. I see it through rose colored spectacles. I resonate with the characters sometime (stressing: SOMETIME).
The stories and characters portrayed in these Triple Crown Series books are really understandably stupid. Sure the narration gives off the impression that, hey maybe they can be collective and make smart decisions, but they don't. Sometimes that piss me off, but most of the times, I can see they were aiming for realism in these characters (even if they are over the top with what the plot and all that) I know enough of these people to understand that. The smart is so suppressed in their own ego that sometimes, it's dismissed all together.....Sometimes, though, their lives have taken turns so far deep that picking oneself up from the floor is nearly impossible.....
As far as the actual storyline goes, it was very... fiction. Tanika Lynch definitely pushed her creative insight on prostitution through the roof with this one. Nothing comes off as "believable" I mean, She pushes her pimp into a stove goddamn it! That's just... downright outrageous!

But that is oh so beyond the point.

SO.... it was a good book, I read this in one sitting. I did not like the cop aspect of the story, dirty cops? call me delusional, but that was definitely the lowest point in the story and also most unrealistic (again, in my euphoric nature, cops are not used pejoratively, i.e. they are not all assertively beating people, dealing back hand drugs, raping girls on the down low). Everything until introducing cops into the story was good. I did happen to like all the dirty skanky sex. It's what I come to expect when I pick up Triple Crown Series books, this one did not disappoint, actually. With all the sex in the story, I felt really, really sick to my stomach and also downright dirty reading this. Call me psycho but I think I liked that masochistic reader in me!

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of the best reads that i have read it was so good that i read it in one day i was just outdone with this author she was just so real that it was unbeliveable. she has talent and needs to keep writing

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK HAD ME IN TEARS IT WAS HARD TO FINISH AT SOME STAGEs BECAUSE IT WAS JUST TO SAD BUT I MADE IT THROUGH ! REALLY GREAT BOOK AND I LIKE THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN . . . look FORWARD to reading more from this author !!!!

[Gretchen Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book isn’t what I imagined. With a title like Whore you’d think it would….well be about someone that sleeps around. The woman, or whore in question is actually a virgin. Begging the question, can a whore be a virgin? Well, they can certain be made to FEEL that way……

Laura works at the coffee shop in the mall and technically lives with her mom although her mom bailed on her to run off with husband number five. This also means her mom isn’t paying the bills so she has 30 days to move out which will mean that her college savings will be used and college itself postponed….again.

While working at the coffee shop she interacts frequently with an older man that gives her wonderful advice. He dies suddenly and his son comes to let her know. Taylor needs to make his father’s dying wish a reality which is to make sure that Laura is taken care of. The only thing she will agree to is working for him.

Taylor is a rich, good-looking, powerful, businessman with no relationship status because he doesn’t do relationships. The chemistry between Taylor and Laura is off the charts even though they both ignore it….well for a bit. It becomes too hard and Taylor makes a proposition - pleasure. No strings. Just pleasure. Being a 20 year old virgin and taking into account her attraction to him Laura agrees. However, she fails to tell him until the last minute that she’s a virgin.

They have an amazing affair but from time to time she wonders what makes a whore. She’s living for free in his building, has a job from him in which she gets paid a lot and all she has to do is “pleasure” her “boss” and be eye candy for his meetings. Does this make her a whore? If Taylor wanted a relationship would everything be better?

They both have trust issues and some abandonment issues but can they put their past behind them and make a go of an actual relationship instead of this “pleasure” thing?

I can’t be what you need Laura. All I can offer you is pleasure. You should find some nice guy, fall in love, have a few kids, and be taken care of.”
Rolling my eyes I walked towad him as he backed away. Did he know me at all? “I don’t want those things. I want to go to college and become self-sufficient. But I also want you. And I don’t care if you can’t love me, what I need now is pleasure. I know you can give me that and it doesn’t involve a commitment that would ruin my plans for the future.”
He looked at me stunned and I finally stopped when our bodies were scant inches apart. “You told me to embrace my inner whore, Taylor. Well I’m offering myself to you without any holds barred. So I guess the real question is are you willing to give me what I need?”
All I can say is the devil made me do it because I reached out and grabbed him in my hand giving a little squeeze. “Can you be the man that makes me the whore he craves?”
“Fuck Laura.” he wrapped his hand in my hair and pulled back but I refused to let go of his cock. “If I hurt you I’ll never forgive myself.” Lowering his lips he kissed me savagely and I knew for the moment I’d won. Could a virgin be a whore? I guess I was about to find out.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the things that happen that make her think but the decisions she finally makes aren’t what you would assume. Laura is a very complicated young woman. She has a big heart and a way with people that makes you enjoy her company but she has this inner lust that seems to alway win when Taylor is around. This book is EXPLOSIVE! HOT HOT HOT You will most likely not like Taylor at the beginning as he comes off a bit of an ass but he redeems himself and I know you will learn to like him just as much as I do.

This is a wonderfully written book with complex characters that are intense but also funny at times. Highly recommend!!

[Ta · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worthless watse of time. Why she believes a movie could come from this garbage, I dont know. Michigan has much better talent than this trash about trash. Read Dirty Money, or The Flint Series. Ashley & Jaquavis are great and Treasure Hernandez will have you not only turning pages but reading books in a day. This book AWFUL!!

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg . This book was THE STUFF ! I could not believe half of the stuff i was reading It is a touching story and made me very sad . I Really couldn't believe her mother would want her to do the stuff she did .

[Edwina Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book..I happen to be in Borders and picked it up and put it right back on the shelf however some lady told me that i should really buy it and that it was a awesome book..so i did and i must say this book is crazy couldnt put it down

[Kellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It was a definite page turner and kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Shatana Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book my homegurl ever had me to read loved it. Been reading ever since.

[Tynika Reads 🌺 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting!! At one point it was too much going on but the message was good, God uses the worse of the worse & turn it into a masterpiece!!

[Casey]

This book “WHORE” is about a 13 year old girl named Kamone who has two younger siblings that she had to raise because her mother was drug addicted and was being molested by different men . As Kamone continued to take care of her younger brother and sister why her mother was paying them no attention , Kamone decided to leave with the kids . A lady named Ms.cookie that Kamone has been knowing for a very long time has found a place for them to live . When Ms.cookie drops them off at the Man’s house and tells them that their going to be safe there Kamone realize that something was up . As Kamone went inside the man House and put her bags down the man then tries the tell her that she will have to work for her to stay there . He made Kamone clean , wash , steal from stores and if she didn't do what was told to do then he would rap her .
One day Kamone had called Ms.cookie back to tell her that she wanted to come back and live with her because she didn't like it were she was , Ms.cookie then told her that she would have to go out and make money in order to live with her . Kamone then Agreed , when Kamone got back to the house Ms.cookie told her each theing that she would have to do . As Ms.cookie and other Prostitutes got Kamone together to go out that night Kamone was thinking if she wanted to do it or not knowing that it was the other way she was going to have money to raise her little brother and sister . On Kamone first day out on that night she was scared to get into cars knowing that she was going have to have sex with different men to get Ms.cookie back her money . As all the other Prostitutes seen that all the attention was on Kamone and every car was trying to stop and holla at Kamone they got jealous .
Later that night The prostitute name Tiffany saw that Kamone was stealing money from Ms.cookie so she went and told . Kamone begged her not to tell her anything so as the prostitute left out the house and went back to the street . Kamone decided to pack up the kids , and set the house on fire while Ms.cookie was asleep . Ms.cookie then woke up knowing that fire was almost too her face and saw KAMONE STEALING ALL HER MONEY , she then tried to get up but it was too late Ms.cookie was burnt to death as Kamone was running down the street and other prostitutes was on their way up too Ms.cookies Apartment when they got their they realize that Kamone had had killed her . They tried chasing Kamone and the kids down but they were running too fast . As Kamone looked back she seen that they were getting closer and closer . she then seen the old church man riding down the street .
As Kamone and the kids jumped into the car and all the different Prostitutes tried opening and beating the window out the man drove faster , He asked Kamone what was going on and she told him that they were trying to make her have sex with people off the streets just to make money . Ever since they had been driving the man offered to take kamone and her little sisters to a church . Soon then kamone had got back in touch with a dude that she had met once after she had got beating and rapped buy a group of boys. Once they had got settled in at the house they boy had started to fall in love with her , but his brother didn't like it .
As the boy was coming up with different ways to keep his brother away from her , so that he could get her kamone didn't like it . one day the dude had went out of town and had left the brother under control of his house , he knew that he could finally get too kamone and have sex with her . One day the boy came over with another female and forced kamone to do drugs just so that he could have sex with her . He also made kamone do sexual things with a female while he would record it . As the brother called and told him that he was back in town he rushed him and the other female out the house and left . Kamone sat and cried , and cried ! SHE DIDN'T know what to do . As her boyfriend walked through the door he realized she was back doing drugs and put her out while he kept the kids . She had been walking trying to find somewhere to go , and here comes his brother ! He forced her to get into the car , and when he took her to his crib she made him have sex once again .

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! What can I say this book was so good and I mean good. It had me on the edge of my seat, the things Kamone had to go through was pure hell. I'm glad she finally got a real chance at a better future at the end of the story. This book was really hard to put down because it was so fastpaced, exciting, and had so many twists secrets and turns. I read this book in one day because I just couldn't put it down. It also made me sad too because there are so many many young women out there that has lived and gone through stuff like this. And it made me so angry that Kamone couldn't ever get a break in life, everyone she ever knew almost manipulated her.The author had a really good plot, and story had lots of details and characters were really well developed. This book is definitely not age appropriate for kids, and would recommend it to anyone over 18 and anyone of my friends.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of the book was superb as was the rest of the book. Tanika Lynch, the author, provided a sound, realistic plot. She injected realistic characters with depth. If you stay superficial and judgmental, then this book will disgust and upset you - you won't finish it. You've got to read with an open mind and an open heart, and you will be amazed at how strong these characters are, both the good ones and the bad ones. The book does an excellent job of using a sad yet uplifting story to provide a glimpse into both good and evil, angels and demons.

[Gloria Lewis Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whore

This was too much in the negative. I know there are people who prey on the weak and innocent and make this a way of life. I also know there are many victims far worse than Kamone. Yet, you devote most of the book to the abuse and skip over to the positive. I will not recommend this book except to those who have a strong stomach and a strong heart. I couldn't take it. I had to keep stopping to get myself together. Not my kind of book.

[Necia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im the product of the hood. What I haven't experienced, I more then likely know someone who has. This book bordered on over the top. Perhaps if the main character was a tad older, I would've been able to relate to it. Either way it was a quick, easy read. Mindless.

[Born True Bethea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. Not really good but not really bad either.

[Lativida Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very painful to read....sad thing is that this type of stuff happens a lot out here.

[Christa♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

MR ROMERO I AM NOT YET FINISHED BUT COULD YOU GO THROUGH THIS IN CLASS???????


Whoever said being a whore was easy, lied, but somebody has to do it! (Tanika Lynch, 2006, jacket summary, Whore) Falling through the black hole of society, and growing up in the hard street of Detroit, Kamone, 14, had to feed three mouths including herself by prostituting around the streets. Since she was left on her own at a young age, and coming from a family of tricks, and pimps, she turned to the only job she had her seen her "mother" do, she started to prostitute. There are four reasons why I absolutely loved this book. The first because it made me scared, second because it made me feel like I was there. The third because it had an ending that I did not expect, and fourth because it had drama, killing, sex, life, love, "love" and suspense!

Kamone was forced to prostitute all of the time, by her pimp Cookie, because she was Cookies' number one business profit! Kamone was lost in this world, born to and abandoned by her poor, white trash, dope fiend, prostitute, HIV infected mother, there was nothing Kamone would not do to get some cheddar. She had to the burden of taking care of her two siblings both under the age of 5. She took drugs to keep her awake during her tricking(which she had become addicted to), was almost murdered, had sex to make money, was raped by numerous men, and was lied to by many! That was until she is set up to be raped, drugged, and left for dead by a scandalmonger, fagot, prostitute, and his/her crew. This made Kamone aware that no one was her helping hand and that she had to make it on her own, and take care of "her kids" herself! This was some of the drama, sex, life, violence, and a little of the suspense I enjoyed in this book.
Kamone planned to go into Cookies apartment and steal her money(a lot of money) under the floor board, so that she could run away with her sister & brother and make a new life. Like every thing in Kamone's life, the plan went wrong! Cookie found Kamone trying to take the money and almost jumped on her. As an instinct Kamone pushed Cookie, and she fell into the stove fire. Instantly, the fire engulped Cookie and her fat self and she burned to a crisp. As Kamone ran out of the apartment, before she would also have to fight for life too, she quickly took the money and ran past the on-call prostitutes. Cookie was the only source of family & money that these prostitutes had in their lives. So, when they found what Kamone had done, accident or not, they chased her down the street! With heels, knives, and other weapons they haul-tailed down the street after Kamone. Just as she was about to get caught she jumped inside an old mans car who drove her to safety & paid for her to stay in a hotel with her siblings. I believe that this was one of the examples of suspense in the book. The suspense in this book reminds me of the book "Of Mice and Men". In this book just before one of the main characters, Lennie, is about to get caught by the angry mob of men, his friend did what was best for him, shot him! These both exhibit examples of violence, drama, sex, and the everyday life of a little girl living at the lower class in todays' society!

Ever read a book that made you scared for the main character? Well, after the set up incident Kamone pushed on with life, thinking that it would soon be over! But soon, she found what every woman wanted, a bad boy with a good heart, Lucci, who is in his early 30's. Kamone was close to death, when Lucci literally picked her up out of the trashy life she was in, and treated her like a queen. Little did Lucci know, his thug passion would not be enough to satisfy a 14 year old Kamone's lustful habits she had obtained! The only thing that Kamone had known to do with men & how to "love" them was through sexual intercourse! So of course, when she met Lucci her first emotional spark with him was the thought of sex! Though she wanted it, and bad, Lucci denied her body. Though Kamone was a caramel skinned, green-eyed beauty, Lucci said "no"! Though Kamone was basically looked at as having the body of and angel, with every curve, he denied! All Lucci wanted to do at this point wa sto help Kamone, and he even helped her to kick the need for those drugs! At this point in the book Kamone had met Lucci's in denial, crazy identical twin brother David! He though that Kamone looked like his mother, that he had killed when he was young. So he became obsessed with her! Not getting into the details, David ended up as the worst person she could have met! Tricking her into getting back into her drug addiction by faking that her was Lucci, her turned tried to turn her life back in the wrong direction. Over time, David almost killed Kamone, turned her back into a druggie, put her siblings at the dangerous hand of crack addicts, and killed her unborn child (Luccis' had to give it up some time)! I felt very scared at this moment in the book, causing my heart to shake & I trembled in my reading space! I wanted the best for Kamone at the end of the book, but I though the worst would come for her! I felt that I knew Kamone and that I could have actually been one of the characters in the book because I felt emotion!

[Alison is probably reading smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow haha, this book was a little TOO much, but I still enjoyed it. It was a little graphic, but accurately described street life (tricking/prostitution/addiction/domestic violence) and took place in Detroit, near where I am from myself. It was well written and will stick with me for awhile. I'd be interested in reading more by this author in the future.

[K.augustine]

I loved this book. I heard so many great things about this that I had to read it for myself. I started this book this morning, worked 8 hours, and finished this book this evening. I seriously could NOT put it down. I got yelled at by my TWICE for reading instead of working. Tanika Lynch you got me in trouble with this page turner! Haha. BUY this book! You won't be able to put it down and if you have a heart, you WILL shed a few tears or at least get teary eyed. I cried all through the last few chapters! I could barely read with my eyes all blurry but I refused to put the book down until I completed it! No book has EVER had that effect on me. I fell in love with Kamone and your heart will definitely break for her as well.

P.S - *SPOILER ALERT* Don't read below if you haven't read this book. . .



To those of you that read this book:

Do you think Kamone and Lucci's twin boys will be like Lucci and David? One evil and one good? I hope there is a part two regardless of what happens!

[Teemah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Its crazy how Kamone is forced to grow up so fast. Her childhood is thrown out the window when she takes on the responsibility of her brother and sister. In order to keep them all outta system Kamone is forced to make a tough decision that she may soon regret. And even when things look and seem good for her they always seem to turn the wrong way. Hands down this book is a FIVE STAR!!

[Michele Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually one of my all-time favorite books. I have read at least 5 times.
I flew through the pages in one day the first time, and each time I read it I get sucked in more.
What K goes through, is heart wrenching pain of all sorts and to have survived it all.... and with such a great ending..... I wish I could give this book more than 5 starts.
Best Urban Fiction.
All of triple crown publication books are hitters.

[Melody Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I RECOMMAND EVERYONE IN THE WORLD to read this book. This is the best book ive ever read personal its alot of of suspence,drama, crying everything you look for in a book this book has it all. yes its a little sexual but its true life and i love the best of any book i've ever read. its makes you never want to put it down read it at all times you even think about it your sleep its so good.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It was an easy read and interesting to read about a life that some people take the risk of taking. This book draws you in with an insight into someones eyes to be become a prostitute to make living easy with two baby sibilings. Scandalous with a love story, will it work or not?

[Tahasti Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is very gritty but at the same time, it has a way of pulling you into the story because i think most people has known someone like this or have been in similar situations theirselves, read it all in one night.

[Donica James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was really good.She had a fucked up life and some fuxked up parents all the way.I was pissed when David did that shit to her.Glad she did something good with her life in the end I hope there is a second book

[Sharee]

This book was full of drama, was a good book. I read it in three hours