Authors: Vickie M. Stringer
Let That Be the Reason
was the breakthrough debut novel that became an urban-lit classic and launched Vickie Stringer's career as bestselling author and publisher.
Imagine This
was the bestselling sequel and now comes the prequel
The Reason Why,
the long-awaited revelation of how Pamela and Chino became an urban contemporary Bonnie and Clyde.
Pamela was a naive coed from Detroit, going to classes by day and clubs by night. The hottest spot was Jazzy Jay's, and that's where one of the guys slipped his gun into her pocketbook, knowing that the police who had just descended on the club wouldn't check the girls for weapons. She didn't know his name or anything other than he was cute and charming. But when she tracked him down to return his property, she found out his name was Chino; his game was hustling; and his plan was to make her his woman, his wifey, and give her more than she ever bargained for out of life, love, and the pursuit of money.
VICKIE M. STRINGER
is the author of
Essence
bestsellers including
Imagine This, Let That Be the Reason, Dirty Red,
and
Still Dirty.
She is the publisher of Triple Crown Publications, one of the most successful African-American book publishers in the country and abroad. She has been featured in such prominent news media as the
New York Times, Newsweek,
MTV News,
Publishers Weekly, Vibe, Millionaire Blueprints,
Black Expressions, and many more. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her two children. Visit her website at
www.triplecrownpublications.com.
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
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COVER DESIGN BY PATRICK KANG ⢠COVER PHOTO BY MARLON RICHARDSON/GETTY (WOMAN), TODD GIPSTEIN/GETTY (STREET), SONJA PACHO/ZEFA/CORBIS (MAN) ⢠AUTHOR PHOTO BY PETER CHIN
Also by Vickie M. Stringer
S
TILL
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IRTY
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New York, NY 10020
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either
are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2009 by Vickie M. Stringer
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions
thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Atria Books Subsidiary
Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
First Atria Paperback edition August 2009
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Designed by Nancy Singer
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stringer, Vickie M.
The reason why: a novel/Vickie M. Stringer.â1st Atria Paperback ed.
    p. cm.
Prequel to: Let that be the reason.
1. African American womenâFiction. 2. African AmericansâFiction.
3. Drug dealersâFiction. I. Title.
PS3569.T69586R43 2009
813'.54âdc22Â Â Â Â 2009018265
ISBN 978-1-4391-6609-3
ISBN 978-1-4391-6610-9 (ebook)
Chapter 6: Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold
Chapter 10: Me Against the World
Chapter 11: Giving My All to You
Chapter 12: Right Place, Right Time
Chapter 13: Wait Till I Get My Money Right
Chapter 15: The Sky Is the Limit
Chapter 16: I'm a Hustla, Baby
Chapter 18: Keep Movin', Don't Stop
Chapter 19: They Smile in Your Face
Chapter 24: Diamonds Are Forever
Chapter 31: Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Chapter 40: They Can't Hold Me