Use Me or Lose Me: A Novel of Love, Sex, and Drama

by Maryann Reid

The fabulously fine, Farah Washington first appeared in Sex and the Single Sister . A junior correspondent to NBC News, she has always taken the fast track to love and success. Now she's determined to climb to the top of the media ladder, and she's willing to use every weapon in her considerable arsenal to do so. Then Farah meets Lenox Whitworth, a powerful, oh-so-fine lawyer who steps in to negotiate the station's contracts. But what he sees in her is the kind of sophisticated woman he needs and wants on his arm, in his life and in his bed. And Farah, sensing a prime opportunity, allows this powerful, handsome brother, to truly introduce her to the wicked indulgences of the rich and glamorous as he influences her career behind the scenes. They both believe that they've got a handle on a good thing, but they're both about to realize that they've met their match in each other.

Filled with love, sex, drama and glamour, Farah and Lenox take you on a wild ride.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Award-winning author and tv/radio social commentator Maryann Reid has been featured by countless media outlets including USA Today, Essence, Glamour, The CBS Early Show, and The Wendy Williams Experience. She is an expert wordsmith and has a plethora of connections with women all over the world from her travels to Europe and The Caribbean, and is a popular guest lecturer at colleges, where she has taught her writing and business skills to groups who want to lead their ideal life on their own terms.

Maryann has been profiled in The New Yorker, Newsweek, Oprah.com, and NBC Nightly News for her innovative approach to life and solving its complex issues, including creating the uber-landmark event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day. This event originated from her third book, Marry Your Baby Daddy (St Martins Press, 2005) that was optioned by Hollywood actress Holly Robinson-Peete and Dolores Robinson.

As an author and professional speaker, Maryann has gathered a diverse roster of credentials and affiliations:

–Author of several books and short stories by St Martins Press and Penguin Putnam
–Published her first book, Sex and the Single Sister (St Martins Press) at 25 years old in two weeks
–Lecturer at various universities including St John’s University and Fordham University in NYC in Creative Writing and Business Communications
– Philanthropist, referred to as the “Oprah of Brooklyn”, for her work arranging all-expenses paid weddings for loving moms and dads, via her event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day
– Expert and social commentator on top-rated nationally syndicated radio shows like NPR’s Fresh Air, The Michael Baisden Show, Fox News Radio, CBS Radio, The Gayle King Show on Oprah Radio, etc
– Invited by USATODAY to write a novella, Single Black Female, for the acclaimed Open Book section of their website

Since her debut book Sex and the Single Sister, Maryann has been invited to speak to some of the most innovative groups all over the country and has received over 20 million media impressions worldwide via major news outlets like ABC News 20/20, NBC Nightly News and CNN.

Maryann received her BA in Journalism from Fordham and developed her writing and love for news at Random House and CNN. She later received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and steadily working on new products for women. Maryann welcomes ideas and collaboration.

Reviews

[Ve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feels like Being Mary Jane but boring. I got 25 pages in, but I was skipping paragraphs at that point.

[SassyMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Much Drama

Farah meets debonair attorney Lenox Whitworth during her contract negotiations with the network. He's a high class, well-bred brother who makes his own way and gives back to the community. They begin to form a relationship filled with high society shindigs, lavish trips, and wining and dining. Both Lenox and Farah are after something, whether it is arm candy or career advancement. As Lenox says, "If you can't be used, you're useless." Their tumultuous existence together is the driving force behind "Use Me or Lose Me".~~~~~~~This book was so fast paced that I couldn't keep up! And that's a good thing. The characters were all complex, interesting and felt real. The author did a decent job of juggling the voices of Farah and Lenox with their own chapters. It's funny how men aren't that different from women. I learned alot about assuming things. A tale of romance, seduction, and life lessons "Use Me or Lose Me" is just an entertaining story.

[Kiley Douyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character of this book is Farah Washington. She is the female anchor for her local channel 7 news at 6 p.m. She had problems with her boss Ms. Meyers who was the Aunt of Lenox Whitworth. She fell in love with Lenox. Her career was brought to an all time high, only to be taken. But in the end true love is found.

The theme of this book is ambition, faith, love and determination.

I don't know if i can relate to the characters so much because I was not brought up like them. But I have had situations happen in my life that are very similar to theirs.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked the whole idea of "no matter what happens during the day, I'll come home in the evening". even thought in the begining they were both using the other in the relationship, later on you could see a very strong character trait of maturity.
Realistic. Not one of those dramatically crazy actions in which people overreact and make a scene, sooo typical for book these days and sooo cannot be applied nor found in real life.

[Deneen A. Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on getting what you can from a person and relationships.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a few chapters.

[Tiana Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a bit anticlimactic for me. At some point, I wanted to see something more happen.

[Renasha Roberson]

So Far I think Its Great That An African-American Can Have So Much Confidence.