Let That Be the Reason

Let That Be the Reason #1

by Vickie M. Stringer, iiKane (Reading)

Written in prison and based on real-life experiences, this is the novel that launched the writing and publishing career of the bestselling author of  Still Dirty, Dirty Red , and  Imagine This , the reigning ''queen of urban fiction''( Publishers Weekly ).

Vickie M. Stringer wrote  Let That Be the Reason  when she was still serving her seven-year sentence for drug trafficking. When she couldn't find a publisher, she printed the novel herself and sold it out of the trunk of her car. ''I've exposed myself with the prayer that my life can be used as an example to warn others of the awful dangers of the drug game,'' she wrote in its afterword.

Let That Be the Reason  begins when a drug dealer abandons his girlfriend, Pamela Xavier, leaving her with nothing but a stack of bills, an empty refrigerator, and an impending eviction notice. Backed into a corner and with no prospects in sight, Pamela decides to get her hustle on. Transforming herself into Carmen, she learns to deal with the streets, the playas, the drug lords -- and, of course, the law -- by any means necessary. In no time, she is running a call girl service, a fencing operation, and a drug cartel, all while still being a mom. Carmen wants money, but she also wants happiness. The problem is that she doesn't quite understand what real happiness is and what real love means -- or what it all costs.

Let That Be the Reason  is a true-to-life saga of a woman's love, ambition to survive, forgiveness, and salvation.

Genres: Urban, Fiction, African American

1 pages, MP3 CD

Published December 6, 2016

Reviews

[Bkfinest · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I realize that the only time I write a post is if the book was really good or super bad and this was super bad. This book just got on my nerves. All I kept reading about was Chino this Chino that...hello??? He did you dirty, not claiming his son and left your butt for his wife. I am nervous about reading part two. I dont know if I'm mentally prepared for the crap to come. Please tell me it gets better... I would honestly say that you are not missing anything by not reading this book...sorry Ms. Vickie, I wasnt digging it.

[Joiii · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really weird to me. I couldn’t finish it. I don’t know if it was because I was listening to it as an audiobook or what. The main character was weak-minded and naive. The story moved too slow. I just did not like it.

[Emmy-Ann Lortie]

DNF at page 114.
Found myself skipping through the pages.
The story isn’t bad, I just think I’m not interested in it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a few urban books like TRUE TO THE GAME, COLDEST WINTER EVER and even Jackie Collins' Lucky Santangelo series I have come to the realization that, although these books can be very interesting, I can only take the mafia and gangster subject matter in small doses. It isn't my preference as far as genre, but then again I like to give everything a chance.

When I heard that this supposed Essence bestseller was a fact-based novel about a woman who gets involved in the drug cartel, escort service and makes it big, I had to see what the hype was about. Pamela a.k.a Carmen's story was a fascinating one, despite the many typos and grammatical errors.

It's not everyday you hear of women reigning in such positions. She builds a solid name in the streets and vows to herself and her son that she will only be involved in this life up until she is established enough, monetarily, to go back to school, and make a better life for child. But of course the money gets so good, that tearing herself away is an idea that isn't as appealing as it was before. Why leave, when she has become the Queen of the Streets?

Situations arise, and she learns that happiness earned in that lifestyle comes with a heavy price and serious consequences. Interesting read, overall. 3.5 stars.

[Marya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can't really make up its mind on who it wants for its audience. At times, the novel caters to those who glorify the street life. The author praises rap artists in general, name-drops designer labels at least once a page, and treats hustlin' as just another entrepreneurial enterprise. Yet, the narrator stops to say "this is why I turned to a life of crime" and ends with the notion that "the street life is a dead-end, and I hope this book will show everyone that". Given that the book spends 9/10ths of its time describing the fast-paced life of the streets and 1/10th giving vague descriptions of life in jail, I'm not sure that goal was achieved. But as this is the first of this genre I have read, I still can't tell what is unique to this book and what is just lip service to a genre convention.

[Shakeisha Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pace of the story was too slow for me. There was not enough jaw dropping action, and I kept wondering why the character was soooo stupid when it came to a man, but I guess that's how some females are, naive and in denial. I liked Carmen, but not Pammy, she was too sensitive for the game. At some point it was determined that she would lose it all, but wud have only her family and Delano there for her in the end when she was neglecting them the most.

[Lisa Hoppe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read (actually primarily listened to) this as a book club selection. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about this way of life. It read more like a memoir than a novel. It wasn't a bad book, simply not something I would have ever chosen for myself.

[Jaynice]

i didnt like this book the plOt moveD to sLow and her life was nOt intrestinG but her struGGles were comin

[Tatyana Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book, but she's just plain stupid. God, I wish they had another girl who was stronger and not naive like her.

[Lunden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eh, who cares. Stopped reading. I have no intention on revisiting this one.

[Monique Grant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely disappointed ... how could a woman with a child be so dumb

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick hood read. Vickie..well..it's Vickie Stringer.. It was GOOD. CHECK IT OUT.

[Shan Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, I should read more books by her

[Jenise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I read this as a teenager. I couldn’t remember the entire story only certain parts and since reading it again I totally understand why I couldn’t remember all of it.

The beginning and the ending of this book was pretty good but midway through I got soooo bored 😴😴😴😴

There was no real climax to me until the end. I found myself not caring and drifting off SEVERAL times and there was no real exciting action/climax within this story.

There was a hint of romance that I just did not believe in and idk…. It was all just lack luster to me. It could have been good if the ending was the climax and the book continued after she went to jail because that was honestly the part that actually made me interested. 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyyyyyy, so I initially when I first started reading this book I was so annoyed and didn’t want to finish but I must say this was a good read!!!!


Carmen played the game okay but her biggest downfall was giving out too many chances if they play in your face one time they’ll doing over and over!!

Chino could kiss my ass because not only did he leave Carmen for another woman he disowned their child. That’s the lowest thing you can do as a man! But, to say the least Ms. Carmen definitely got her get back on him!

Urban fiction books will always be my go to especially the older ones!

[Ebony Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Let that be the reason is a catchy title and I swear I have been walking around telling everyone that I know to let that be the reason. I still know people now that have not read the book but have heard someone say this phrase. This is a good book and it took me 2 days to read. I would recommend everyone to read this book. I just did not like how it ended. The ending made me mad. Lol

[Lanesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carmen was delusional, PERIOD. Delusional about Chino, delusional about her ever getting out the dope game once she got in, and delusional that she was actually going to be accepted as a BOSS lady by ANY man in the drug game. Her downfall could have been prevented had she not been greedy and just offloaded the weight to G in the first place. Get rid of it and move on! She already had a nice thing going with the Service but as always, greed prevails.

[Carol Hornsby-mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can only hope there is another book to follow. Very interesting story line. Pammy/Carman definitely a hustler. In all her efforts to talkie care of her family, could this be the ending of her? I pray not. It’s not like she killed anyone, yet her selling drugs was wrong. She tried to get out of the game and start over... I have hope.

[Jasmine Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short read for me . Pam is a true sweetheart a little on the easygoing side. where she should've been strong-willed she just let people walk all over her and go with the flow and that's why everybody tried to get over on her . I really hate chino with a passion , He's so sneaky and deserves everything coming to him i hope karma hits him really good. I loved Pams ambiton .

[Marquita Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait!!!

Ok, so who could have imagined the hell Carmen would endure all behind Chino! Ok, home girl had some issues loving and letting go of him but, I am awaiting Ms. Thangs comeback... Her rose from the Ashes story and that get back I just know she is gonna get or will she?! So much of a good read, I need the series ma’am!

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥♥ Happy Birthday youngin, finally __ 🎉 🎂 🎁 🎈 https://inst.cr/t/Y3BmNXRhS3o3 🎉 🎂 🎁 🎈 https://usapp.fieldagent.net/applinks... Happy Birthday to my secret crush 🙂😻 I miss you more. Were looooong overdue. ‼️😹😹😹

[Nakeia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book that I would read multiple times, as this book was written to almost perfection.

[Tasha Milteer · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was smart and had hustler mentality, but way too trusting and naive

[Tiffany Lawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

You got to read this book

[Shaunte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Discombobulated. Repetitive. Predictable. I'm so sick of hearing about Chino. Carmen was obsessed. The guy did her dirty. And that ending was terrible.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to add Ms. Stinger to the list of my fav authors. I did not know if I was going to like this book. But after page 1 as I got into it, it became increasingly harder to put the book down. She does not wast time to go into all that happened in the past but put's you in the present to explain why Pammy metamphors into Carmen. It became a point where I as the reader along with Pammy start to think of her as Carmen. I know one thing. Chino couldn't get a cup of water from me. After he left her with nothing but a funky 40 dollars. I would have let him starve. Then he flipped on her after they got busted by the feds. She should of followed her first instinct and got out when she could. She had to be a typical female and fall for that I still love you b.s. I respect the fact that she didn't let him get the good good b/c he is married. Delano turned out to be true blue. Just goes to show you don't judge a book by its cover. She thought he wasn't rolling in dough because he was driving that hooptie. I know she felt kind of dumb when she saw that BMW that weekend she went away with him. But I also understand that after being hurt by that chump Chino that she did not trust no man except for the man who betrayed her the most. I know Delano isn't stupid. He had to know she was the Carmen that was pushing weight on the streets. Everyone else knew so why wouldn't he. I wonder if she left her son all by himself when she went out that nite with Infa and Abdullah to the club. Cause T had left to go hook up with Lashona. I know its expected of G to be as lame as he is but still she tried to school him in the game and he flipped on her too. It was grimy how T and Erik did her. Just goes to show in life anyone can turn on you in a dime. Last but certainly not least she kept it real by allowing her faith in God to shine through. Just cause you do something illegal or not right doesn't mean you don't know God. I like how her mom had her back and told her "don't pray for freedom, b/c God gonna do that in his own way. But pray for the strength and the wisdom to make it throught this trial" Let that be the reason.......

[Chas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vickie Stringer, the reason that Triple Crown Publishing started. I have read every book that Mrs. Stringer has published except for How to Succeed in the Publishing Game. I actually read Let that Be the Reason and Imagine This backwards. I read Imagine this first, then went back and read Let that be the Reason. Now I'm not going to lie Let that Be the Reason was good, but the sequel Imagine This explains a whole lot of concept from LTBTR. Honestly I probably need to go back and read LTBTR again, just because. My favorite so far is Dirty Red. The title Dirty Red says it all. It basically talks about the games that girls can play and how love can X out that game too. I'm waiting for the sequel to Dirty Red, but I haven't heard or seen anything yet. If you hear before me help a sister out.....Aiight

[Alize Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

- In this book Carmen is left for dead by her ex-boyfriend Chino, He knocked her up and left her with a child. Carmen met chino when she was still in highschool and he took care of her so she didnt know what to do after he left her and she didnt want to turn to her parents for help just to hear them say i told you so. So since she dont know what to do with herself she turned to selling drugs. She said she was only going to sell enough to get her a shop but after the money kept coming in and she had people working for her she got to comfortable being on top. I really liked this book because it shows not to depend of a man for everything in the world, and it shows to do stuff for yourself even if your man is providing with everything you need. I would reccomand this book to everyone who love urban books and who likes to read about the "drug dealing life".

[qiqqles]

Book title: Let That Be The Reason


Synopsis: This book is about a girl who has just broken up with her babys father and he left her with nothing...Now she has to find a way to provide for her and her child

Classification-
Audience: Mature Teens, Mostly women
Purpose: Mostly entertainment
Medium: A Novel
Genre-Setting: In Columbus, Ohio
Genre-Style: Realism, Actual Problems that could accur in the world
Genre-Plot: Action most of the time because alot of things are going on

Criticism:
This book can really have a person to think on how they want there life to be and how they need to become a successful person. Because if you're not successful you wont ever have anything in life...
but Carmen she found a way to provide. it was illegal. But she made it.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Let That Be the Reason" by Vickie M. Stringer was a very good. It's about a single mother who finds herself in most situations that many single mothers find themselves in - the baby's father, or baby daddy rather, doesn't want to help. As a result, she has to take it upon herself to help herself and her son. The best way she can, and the only way she think she can.
So...she turns to the street, and, of course, dealing.
I gave it 4 stars because, not only did this book address a social issue that I believe is rapidly, and unfortunately, becoming a norm in our society, but it proved to be entertaining as well.