The Candy Shop

by Kiki Swinson

Essence ® bestselling author Kiki Swinson gives us the raw tale of one woman's struggle with her demons…
 
Faith Simmons used to live the good life with a loving husband and daughter, a successful career as a school assistant principal, and a fancy house. Now she's spending her days with her best friend Teresa and looking forward to her next fix. Unlike T., there are some things Faith won't do for candy, and she thinks she's got her addiction under control. But as Faith is about to find out, once you get a taste for street candy, there's no turning back…

Genres: Urban

291 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 14, 2007

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter With The Sweet

Faith appears to be an educated woman with a good life, yet she allows her friendship with Teresa Daniels to back her into a corner. Soon Faith finds it impossible to stay away from her newfound addiction and has jeopardized her career, family, standard of living and maybe even her years. Now a full blown addict, what won't Faith do in order to feed her habit?

The Candy Shop chronicles the birth of an addict. While I am not a fan of the subject matter, I did find myself pitying Faith and her inability to utilize her own common sense.

[Dionna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was and average book. I was expecting a more better ending ...... too much of the story took place on the corner. It just got annoying. The scenes with Faith and her husband was great , otherwise it was blah.

[Ms.Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Say No!


From the opening chapters of Swinson's “The Candy Shop,” readers are immediately thrown into the world of drug addiction through the eyes of an addict. We meet Faith Simmons, a wife, mother and assistant principal. Her life is far from perfect, but she is respected, has a nice home and a comfortable lifestyle. But that quickly changes with one sentence, "I'll do it, just this one time." Faith succumbs to addiction and her life spirals out of control. Drugs. They consume your mind, body and soul. There is no teacher like experience, and Faith has to learn that the hard way.

The premise is ripe with possibility, but unfortunately that possibility is not explored. The whole add water and stir formula for drug addiction didn't work for me. I know that no one ever aspires to become an addict and that things happen, but this was a bit much. We're talking about a grown woman here, not an easily swayed young child that falls prey to peer pressure to fit in. Had Faith's downward spiral into addiction been more realistic maybe this book would have been more believable. “The Candy Shop” started off on shaky ground and never really stabilized. There is nothing here that we haven't seen/read before. The characters failed to move me. The plot didn't excite me. The ending didn't come quick enough.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy Is Not Always Sweet

Faith Simmons has it all a well paid job as an assistant principal for a performing arts school a daughter a husband and a nice home in a gated community. Faith trades it all in for what she calls candy introduced to her by her best friend Teresa. This was one of those books that reminded me why I became a counselor to help those that are affected by drug addiction. Faith lied, cheated, and sold her body to get drugs even after the tragic death of her friend she was still in denial. Addiction affects everyone's life not just the addict, but the people that love them the drugs take over and the addict begins a never ending cycle always wanting more and never getting enough. This book was well written. I would have liked to know if she got her life together or at least a better ending.

[Ezraela-Baht · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must say Kiki showed no mercy on her characters in this book, it started out too slow for me in the beginning, I may as well popped my hit series collection in called "The Corner" I couldn't compare the ending to nothing more then a bedtime story, but then again who would want to here it?, In my opinion the main character named "Faith was a weak minded broad who let anything and anybody drag her in the gutter, her attempts to get clean was about as weak as this book . Also her support system was no better. I only hope Miss Swinson come with something better next time, or maybe it's just me because I thrive on great endings, I'd like to see Faith take a stand and while she's standing, step on anyone who tries to get in her way of getting her life back... Wishful thinking.

[tre be · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a young, success career woman/wife/mother who has the world and loses it after trying drugs “just this one time”. I felt like I was walking dark alleys in need of a fix, arms itching, panicky and desperate for some crack rock. It was awful! The details, the characters… urban fiction gold. The antics Faith got into were hard to fathom, and there’s no limits in this one!
⠀
This book give me Scared Straight (from drugs)! not for the faint of heart.

[Kellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say I "Loved" this book, but I more than "Liked" it. It definitely kept my attention and I like the ending because it wasn't really predictable. The one thing that did annoy me were the errors in the book. I'm sure not many people would notice them, but I have an eye for stuff like that and it really bugs me.

[Sachki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days and let me say this was a good read a real page turner and I can't wait to see what Kiki Swinson writes next because this book too me through some good and bad changes in the characters life ups and downs and I was able to look at it from a point of view that I never even thought of. It was well written and would love to see a movie made of this.

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T DO DRUGS !!!! THIS GIRL HAD IT ALL AS A PRINCIPAL AT A SCHOOL ,PROMISING LIFE AND HUSBAND UNTIL ONE DAY SHE DECIDED TO DO THE ULTIMATE AND TRY SOME STREET CANDY ,BIG NO NO. SHE BECAME THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL REAL FAST .PROSTITUTION,HOMELESS LORD HAVE MERCY YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK IT IS A GREAT READ DEFINITE PAGE TURNER!!

[Daffney]

I absolutely enjoyed this book. I am really loving this author. I hate that none of her books are ever really available in my area, though!

[Ty OSullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

all i had to say about is Just Say No Faith screw up her life over drugs cause she couldnt say NO

[Chopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about drug addiction. The main character Faith was real delusional in beginning about her drug habit and to everything and everyone around her disappeared from letting the dread get the best of them are going to jail for the addiction and our job possession. It was cringy and difficult to experience with faith, the main character, how the drug began to take a hold of her whole being. She lost her dignity. Her respect for herself. A brilliant story about life and addiction and taking back your power. It wasn't lightning and empowering.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life for faith was good but like they say be careful of your friends. Faith was educated but her will power was shot. This book teaches you what its like to be on drugs and how hard it is. My aunt died from doing drugs and catching aids and dying. And she stopped for awhile but its like a sickness it calls you. This was a eye opener

[Gia Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. It a book based in the 7 cities where I'm from... It took place in V irginia. I felt like I was right there seeing all of this cause I could recognize the places and cities in the novel but I didnt like the ending. Great job Kiki Swinson...

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good 👍read

This book is actually about reality. These things baron a daily basis. Hopefully, the next chapter her life gets better

[Phoebe Pitchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner!, another #1 5 🌟s 📖.

[Tina Ringstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. I think I read this series twice. Now that I think about it. Let me pull them back out and read them again.

[Lesa Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I liked this book but, it also was a sad book also. You get to finally read about someone on the other end of the track someone that had it all a good job, house, husband and a child and to lose it all because of drugs. I have to say I was cheering Faith on to give up the drugs I really thought she would do it this time or she would do it this time. I thought she was going to have a eye opener when she seen all the crap her friend Teresa was going though to score her next hit. I noticed how Faith change so much from the drugs she went to not lowing herself to get drugs to lowing herself to have sex or give blowjobs for 4 dollars just so she can get another hit.

Overall book was great Kiki did it again. Great read to me.

[Shauntelle James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book three stars, because I was not too impressed with it. I do not agree with the main idea that the author was communicating. The book however was very well written, I could see where it was going although I had just started. Speaking from own personal experience with such issues, I think that the author was not very open. I find it very illogical that Faith was not able to think above the influence, being the very educated woman she was. So, I thought the author was not very open to Faith's inner-conscience. I have to admit that some of the ideas communicated were true to life....like her experience with Darren. But, I doubt that would make her incapable to think.

[JazzyRacquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

♥ I Am Sooo Happy I Finished This Book ! ♥ This Book Was Pointless & I Do Not Recommend Buying This Book ! ♥

This Book Is About The Everyday Life Of A Crackhead ! How interesting it is to see how they go day to day stealing things & begging for dope (& money) !

What I Received From This Book Is That Once You Go Crack You Never Go Back ! I Actually Thought Crackheads Were Much Smarter Than They Look, But After Reading This I Learned That They Are Unfortunately Not !

This Book Gives People A Bad Image About Crackheads !

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, its frustrating how such an intellect woman who had a whole bunch of good things to live for let everything go to waste over a "friend". She became the biggest dope fiend ever. And she wanted to change, she had the chance to and she was so close to, but messed it all up with that "last time celebration" . Friends ain't friends not now, nor never. She admired Teresa so much and defended her with her life, ran to her for help, saved her ass from bad situations yet Teresa wouldn't have done the same for her, she would easily give her up for some dope. What a shame.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

(FROM JACKET)Faith Simmons used to live the good life with a loving husband and daughter, a successful career as a school assistant principal, and a fancy house. Now she's spending her days with her best friend Teressa and looking forward to her next fix. Unlike T., there are some things Faith won't do for candy, and she thinks she's got her addiction under control. But as Faith is about to find out, once you get a taste for street candy, there's no turning back...

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. Realism at its finest. Makes one accept the fact that not all are going to make it. I appreciated Ms. Swinson showing the other side of the drug world. The side where the lives of people and the innocent members of their families are ruined. The utter waste caused by the drug epidemic. Street life is not all glitter and glamour. It is filthy, grimy, and a disgraceful stronghold on too many American lives. Young people need to know this side before they leap.

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read! This book is an example of how one's life can take a devastating turn in the blink of an eye. Faith lost her job, family & home in no time at all just from listening to a friend. Denying that she had a problem only caused more confusion. Though rehab was the best route to take, she was unable to allow herself to succumb to it. Even after witnessing the death of her best friend, she continued using drugs. In the end, the drugs won the battle & the war.

[Olivia Lagrandeur · Rating 5 out of 5]

all i could say is this book showed you the true essence of what crack can do to even the simple minded person in the world... Drugs can make you do things you never thought you would even think about doing..I could not put the book down cause you just had to know how far she would go for a hit of white... I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE LOOKING FOR TRUE URBAN STREET LIFE...KIKI IS A TRULY TALENTED AUTHOR!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting book. A real page turner showing the devolution of a person to a dope fiend. Faith seemed to be easily swayed by her friend but once she got high the first time it was easy to see tge rationalizations that drug addicts make. Ain't nothing glamourous with this "gansta lit" book.

[Kevia · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again Kiki has written another great book. The character Faith was soooo stupid she was too eaisly persuaded. This book is a lesson about choosing your friends well. if she wasnt friends with teressa her life would've been great. Her husband was nothing but a big baby, always running to his parents house when things wasnt right. A real man should stay around and work the problem out.

[- briana . ( m |ɛo|* w |;"* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn how to stay out the way of peer pressure, Teresa was a life lesson learned, but Faith didn't want to back down from the killing truth and she soon found out that she cannot get out of the streets once you've had some of the candy shop's sweet candy.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book that much. It was kind of boring. Basically she walked around all day getting high. No enough action. I am starting Still Candyshopping so hopefully this one will be alot better.

[Mia L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

**SPOILER ALERT** It's crazy how quickly ppl can form a habit. My heart ached for this fictional character so bad it only brought me back to memories of a family friend that spiraled down a path of destruction like this and ended up dying. Extremely sad, but great read.