Red Light Wives

by Mary Monroe

From  New York Times  bestselling author Mary Monroe comes a powerful novel about the hopes, dreams, laughter—and limits—of six unique women surviving on the streets of San Francisco . . . 

They're about as different as six women can be—haughty and humble, beautiful and plain, young and not–so–young, black, white, Latina, and origins unknown. But aside from a gift for laughing hardship in the face, they have one very important thing in common—Clyde Brooks. You might say that Clyde is their "manager." And you might say that Lula Mae, Ester, Megan, Rosalee, Helen, and Rockelle are colleagues—in the world's oldest profession. Clyde likes to refer to them as his "wives." 

Maybe it's their love for the high life—and for each other—that makes the bond between Clyde's ladies so unbreakable. Maybe it's their private demons that keep them so loyal to Clyde—or so he thinks. For hard as they try to distract themselves, nothing can quell the women's longing for a life free from Clyde and what he represents—until one daring act of defiance changes everything . . . 

Praise for Mary Monroe  

"Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston."— Publishers Weekly  

"Watch out Toni Morrison, there is a new sister in town."— Rapport

"Mary Monroe is a masterful storyteller."— Philadelphia Inquirer

Genres: Fiction, Romance, African American, Drama, Urban, Suspense, Chick Lit

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.

I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.

I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.

Reviews

[Erica L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo good! Im on he hunt for all things Mary Monroe now!

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monroe pens another hit in her latest release, Red Light Wives. As the title implies, the story centers on the complicated interrelationship of four "working" ladies and their pimp, Clyde Brooks. The story is in the telling and Monroe creates full-bodied women with sordid pasts that leave them desperate for money, affection, happiness, and independence.

As a beautiful failed model Rosalie embraces the "life" to provide for her manipulating and controlling mother who is haunted by a voodoo curse;

Ghetto fabulous Rockelle is abandoned by her husband and has a penchant to keep up with the "Joneses" at all costs;

Street-smart Ester is deserted at birth and rescued by a teenaged Clyde, her dedication and loyalty to him is obvious but flawed;

Helen, a mentally challenged girl who mimics her idol (Rockelle), relishes the physical attention from men and boys until fate catches up to her; and

Lula Mae, a country girl, has had it rough from childhood and who is rebounding from losing a lover, husband, and child finds herself penniless, alone, and in the lowest of low places when she meets Rockelle who introduces her to Clyde.

Clyde, devoted father, grandson, and womanizer provides escort services to a variety of clients.

These colorful characters have deep roots, haunting histories, and a myriad of problems that only Monroe can imagine. She taps in to the human psyche of each woman as she connives to leave Clyde and reclaim her life and dignity. Told in alternating voices and true to Monroe style, there is plenty of fast-paced drama with several surprises along the way. I found myself turning pages with anticipation to see how it would all play out. Although the subject matter may disturb some readers, she handles the subject matter with plausible respectability and decency thus delivering a seemingly tolerable, easy, and ultimately enjoyable read. Monroe has earned a place on my favorite author list - looking forward to whatever she releases next.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story felt so real! I was wide-eyed with each turn of the page. I’ll definitely head to the library to check out more of Monroe’s works.

[Jaye _ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Light Wives was such a funny, WILDDDD, and nostalgic read for me. The messy drama and outrageous characters were pure entertainment. It definitely kept me out of a reading slump and reminded me why I love diving into stories like this. Sometimes you just need a throwback vibe full of chaos to keep the pages turning, and this one delivered.

[Sontia Levy-Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all her books, this is by far my FAVORITE! It's raw, it's real, and it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I would give this 10 stars if I could!

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sad , interesting, shocking , tales of LulaMae
Raquel
Rosalee and
Esther
made me sad but intrigued me despite the many loop holes that prolonged the story or confused me it just brought everything full circle In the end ...... the author really did her thing tugging on your emotions with this book right here ....

In most books sex work is a walk in the park compared to the brutality these women endured ..... just reading how many times they got screwed out by tricks made my damn head hurt lol ....... this is a cautionary tale on what NOT TO DO and prostitution is one of them it's such a dangerous job in unsafe conditions it's definitely one job we should all STAY AWAY from ....


them tricks are crazy. No one deserves what these women went through & ..... as women we need to be smarter because men & the wrong choices in life can have you enduring long lasting mistakes that'll be the down fall of a lot of women if we aren't careful .....

Clyde and all the other array of crazy men just made me thankful I'm not living in despair like these women ....

I felt RosaLee didn't need to be doing the job she was doing her mother was such a manipulative b*txh who used her and threw a selfish monkey wrench at her turning her life Upside down for no damn reason ......

LuLa was a kind woman who was dealt such a terrible hand more than she deserved just for a good life ......

Esther oh my GOD her story was the saddest like damn what a naive strong woman who did what she had to do :(

Raquel just got on my nerves she was bitchy & so insecure; I see why she and Rosalee bumped heads so much they had the same damn attitude......

[Kea · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm afraid that Mary Monroe uses language and names for her characters that are out-dated and demonstrate that Mary is old-school. Who knows a 20-year old black girl named 'Ruth Ann?' Also, what 30 year old would use the term "juke-joint hoppin'?' Is this story supposed to be set in today's times? Not so sure. Anyway, she could me more original. She is too pigeonholed now."

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It felt so real! It was funny, sad, happy, scary, uncomfortable...I couldn’t stop turning the pages every time I picked up the book and I loved the way the ending turned out. This is my first Mary Monroe book but it won’t be my last!

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I look forward to reading more by her.

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn..Clyde was Garbage. These Women each had Tales from A Dark Side..

[Anna Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. 📖 Love that’s it’s on Apple Books. The lives of black women saddened me too much. Hard, hard.

[Larissa Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Mary Monroe! I immensely enjoyed this book. It has been years since I read the series God Don't Like Ugly, and when I saw this book at the library, I was being nostalgic. Red Light Wives is about women ("wives")--Lula Mae, Ester, Megan, Rosalee, Helen, and Rockelle--women who have endured physical, mental, and emotional struggles, tragedies, broken relationships, and major heartbreak. But they are also strong women who are trying to become financially secure, just not in a way that is always acceptable to society. Of course, the nucleus in the circle of wives is Clyde. He is a doting father, loving and supportive grandson, lover, businessman, and 'manager'. He takes care of his 'wives', and they take of him. However, once his empire commences unraveling, the cost is devastating.

The characters are well-developed, ethnically diverse, and the story is told through shifting points of view. I was impressed with how Monroe seamlessly wove the stories of these various characters, as well as showed their interconnectedness.

Give this book a chance. It is raw and real.

[SD Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as riveting as the enticing cover itself. I'm not sure what Mary Monroe fascination is with hookers ,but from the books Iv'e read she is just as excited by them as she leaves her readers. The five women in this book are as real as some of the girls you grew up with, read about, heard rumors about, or could just be you.
Mary writes with every intent of teaching women to honor, respect, and love each other without judgement. Every woman, regardless of background is trying..... Trying to be loved and most of all trying to make it. This novel is full of unexpected surprises and leaves you in awe of its characters. Overall its a good read(see what I did there).

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one is brave enough to go about the business of living, one must be resigned to the consequences. The question that must be answered by such fool is, “ How much pain are you willing to endure?”
This book introduces the reader to vibrant and dimensional individuals with dreams, hopes, ambitions and a blueprint for life. However, as hopes are dashed they will have to decide what they are willing to do to survive.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a pretty good book. it dragged in some parts. but for the most part it was a good read.

[Joshlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl... she does NOT disappoint! I wanted the story to keep going.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good 👍

[Joyce E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It kept my interest from start to finish. The characters were well developed

[Jaa6299 · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing and captivating read!!!!

Even tho it has 6 different POVs, it’s clear and a page turner. It is much tamer than some of Mrs. Monroe’s other books but still well written!!

[Michelle Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the characters (especially the wives) and the little twist at the end.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Mama Ruby and, recently, One House Over. The latter has been my favorite book so far of the author, Mary Monroe; in fact, I'm looking forward to its sequel, Over the Fence, due for release in March, 2019.

Red Light Wives was disappointing in its overuse of unnecessary, disgusting descriptions. Monroe paints such entertaining depictions of her characters, with dialogue and scenes that could easily transition to film or television. Nevertheless, such an abundance of vulgarity strikes me as unnecessary and detracts from the essence of the story.

Although this book did not satisfy, I'm still anticipating Over the Fence and hoping it will provide what I know this author is capable of delivering without the crudities.

[Dee Musa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably Mary Monroe’s best work there’s so much depth,context, and character development. I am very impressed 🤝🏾. I feel like i know these women, i sympathize with them all. I will probably always think about them. Everything that happens to them is realistic considering their profession and environment. I love this novel!!

And she never disappoints when it comes to a good laugh out loud content, i mean the shade the shade oh the shade ☝🏾😭

[Ten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read but too much cursing. A cleaner wrap up concerning Meg and Keisha was needed I felt. Pretty interesting characters though some lacked depth.

Nice read but too much cursing. A cleaner wrap up concerning Meg and Keisha was needed, I felt. Pretty interesting characters though some lacked depth.

[Lizzie Winns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Raw, very interesting

This book was so real, it was like I knew these people, they live down the street. They dealt with problems that u wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. But in the end, all the women loved harder from all the life lessons they learned. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

[Kenya S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was pretty good. If I was in high school or early 20s, I think I would have appreciated it more…my only complaint about this book is the character Helen. The retarded word was thrown around way too much for my liking and there were way too many references to her being “retarded.” Like damn, we get it. The girl is mentally challenged.

[Raymond C. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tantalizing Fiction

This book was wild and entertaining. Its characters are imaginative, and give you a great sense about what it takes for street woman to make things happen at night. Loved reading this before bed at night. Gave me the best chuckles.

[Dominique McAlister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s amazing Mary Monroe was able to introduce me to so many characters, keep the story cohesive, and keep me interested in each.

It was almost like being a “sporting woman,” was a little contagious towards the end there, but so was love, kinda.

[Noelle ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jesus be a fence, I read this book for like a month! By the time I got to page 330, I’d decided to skip to the last chapter because whatever climax was supposed to occur still hadn’t. I was disappointed in the way this book dragged out.

[fidel may · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay, but didn't really do it for me

The book was good, but not a "can't put it down" book. Women were a little naive, but they were young too. I like to give women more credit at being smarter and sneaky. Book needed more suspense.

[Elise Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. So crazy how peoples lives can turn out. In the end though they all made better choices and changed their lives around