A Look in the Mirror

by Terrence LeRoy Baker

Life was rough for Kassandra. She grew up in an abandoned building with a drug addict mother. She never went to school, and before she knew it, she was turning tricks, which landed her in the Juvenile Justice Center, until her eighteenth birthday. As soon as she gets out, she considers her options.Kassie has no education and no job prospects—that is until she meets Papa Bear. Just like that, Kassie has her first pimp and gets to leave behind a life she hated from the start. With Papa in control, Kassie has the chance to travel and turn tricks for the big bucks, but Papa is cold-hearted and cruel. She finds her ally in a woman the other girls call Mama Bear.Kassie could continue down her dangerous path. She could reach the number one spot in the street game and push the other girls out of the way. She could chalk it up to loyalty to Papa and leave her family behind for good, including her only child. Or Kassie could take to the streets with nothing but the clothes on her back and find a way to live a life free from the cold control of heartless men.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2014

About the author

I first started writing in college when I was studying computer programming. My professor told me that after reading my midterm essay, that I would make a great writer because of my authentic voice and delivery. It took another decade before I put my first words on paper, but I haven't stopped since.

I typically write organically even though I type almost 80wpm. I feel that when I write longhand it helps me connect to my emotions better and gives me another form of revision when typing up my manuscripts.

Reviews

[Anne Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

What can I say? It's the horrifying story of Kassandra, prostitute at 14, pregnant a bit later with Carlton, then in juvenile detention til she turns 18. Of course, she finds a pimp instantly and goes back to a crazy life of sex and drugs.
It is totally unbelievable and unreadable. Badly written and uninteresting, unless this kind of porn turns you on. You don't feel sorry for her, as she likes this life. She loves her pimp, no matter what he does.
Just at the end, she gets custody of her son back. By which miracle? that is not explained. That IS frightening. She is the last person who should raise a child.
Stay away from this one.

[Brenda Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very colorful told book, couldn't even imagine what this young girl must be going through. But the fact that she just continues to stay with such a horrible man and live a life that she knows is unhealthy for her is horrorfiing. But in the end she gets out and at 18-19 gets her son back. Not sure I would recommend this book for anyone under the age of 18. Very expecict sex references.

[Cassy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to read, made me feel quite uncomfortable. Didn't care for the subject matter. Not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.