My Life Is All I Have

by V. Anthony Rivers

Book Overview

Packed with suspense and vivid descriptions of some of Los Angeles' toughest streets, My Life Is All I Have tells the gripping story of a young girl who will do anything to leave her troubled past behind her.

Leesha Tyler is about to commit robbery when memories from her past start to consume her. Leesha looks back on her life and remembers the chaotic household she lived in--with her mother and herself always at odds. Thoughts...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593090579
• ISBN13: 9781593090579
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A sure to be street-lit classic!!!

Author V. Anthony Rivers really does an amazing job in latest fictional effort My Life Is All I Have. The novel tells a story of Leesha Taylor growing up in a not so desirable section of L.A. and her daily trials and tribulations from girl fights to the constant advances that come from her mother's boyfriend. Leesha often does try to escape her somewhat chaotic life by looking out the window and along her way to self discovery she meets Scottie AKA Blaze. Life doesn't always seem that bad as long as she had Blaze and her grandma but when she dies this makes Leesha's road to self discovery an uncertain path and while trying to "do the right thing" she does meet a handsome admirer Treyvon, unlike the guys she has grew up around is different and is a talented artist and all he simply wants to do is just love Leesha. Wanting to escape the ghetto life she has seen all of her life she evinces this plan to do the unthinkable and with no other than Treyvon by her side, he does something that changes both of their lives forever. V. Anthony Rivers weaves a wonderful tale of self discovery while combining that classic street literature that many fans will enjoy. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I was beyond a doubt hooked when the author took us back via flashback and you truly felt you were there in the early nineties from the style of dress down to the music. It was truly a pleasurable book and look forward to many more from the author and there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Rivers is here to stay in the literary world.

Live Your Life.

Leesha Tyler's main goal is to leave LA. She wants to leave the hopelessness of her childhood which her own mother is a part of. Leesha and her mother are always at odds especially when her mother runs after no good men. When her mother decides to move in her latest loser boyfriend, Leesha decides its time to move on and make something of herself. She wants to move to Atlanta but first she needs the cash to do it. Leesha soon comes up with a dangerous bank robbery plan and involves two of her close male friends to get the money she needs. All of those plans could change when she finds out a devastating secret about a close family member that will change her perspective on life forever. My Life Is All I Have is a powerful novel by V. Anthony Rivers. Rivers did a masterful job in telling this story through the eyes of Leesha Tyler. I felt the frustration of Leesha about her home situation and how through it all she still wanted to make something of herself. I also felt the anger and sympathy she felt for her mother. I would love to see if Leesha makes it on her own and if her mother ever comes to her senses. This author really showed how the making the right or wrong decisions can determine the path of your life. This novel has the perfect blend of grittiness and deep emotion that grabs the reader from the first page and doesn't let go. My Life Is All I Have is gripping and insightful. V. Anthony Rivers is definitely an author on the rise.

A powerful, gritty story written from the heart.

Money always seems so much to you when you haven't got any; of course you'll deny it to the bitter end, as did Leesha Annette Tyler. Since her childhood she always noticed the girls at school whose new clothes changed every week, and were nothing like those seen down her end of the town, even if she could afford them. So when she hit upon the idea of pursing her dream, and escaping the ghetto she'd become tired of, Leesha decides that the only way to get what she wants and to make a new life, is to rob a bank. Meanwhile, as she contemplates how to do this, she looks back on the time of her life where she met Scottie 'Blaze' Frankin. He's a nice guy, and although he has been involved in some gang related incidents he is trying to stay away from all that and only doing what is absolutely necessary in order to make money and survive. Scottie, who is older than her, takes it upon himself to look out for Leesha as a big brother would. Over time their relationship, although platonic, strengthens to the point that they are always there for each other. No matter what. This is a blessing in disguise, because Leesha's home life is pretty hard, and although she has her Grandma (Grammy) who she loves and respects very much, she doesn't know her father, and her mother is too preoccupied with her latest, alcoholic, out-of-work boyfriend to bother about what she is up to. When Leesha finds herself an admirer, Treyvon , a public school boy with a talent for drawing, she's unsure what she really wants. She likes the attention, but is not sure if she really cares for him as her boyfriend. He is an artist with a rare talent, and in the back of her mind thinks Trey should be going places, making a name for himself, not wasting his time with her. Trey, on the other hand is smitten, and will do anything for Leesha, even if it means laying down his life for the woman he loves. Can love change everything, before it's too late to try? This is a vivid portrayal of life in the ghetto, and I'm not sure if the author has a similar background or not, but he certainly knows how to write about living on the wrong side of L.A. I felt I really understood Leesha, and the issues she had to deal with. I cared about what happened to her, and how the things in her life affected her, both the good and bad. In fact, I'm not ashamed to say, I was so wrapped up in this book, I even shed a tear at the end! I haven't read many books that can do that. It's a very moving and powerful book. As you can tell, this is a very character orientated story, and one that I won't forget in a hurry. I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to try out a book by an author of whom I had only heard of, but never read any of his work before. It's gritty, and there's a lot of street talk and gang related aspects that really set the scene, yet at the same time, this book is full of emotion, and tender in places - it's a contrast, which not only works but makes it a pleasure to read. I loved hearing how Leesha co

Excellent!!

V. Anthony Rivers wrote a great Coming of Age story that we can all relate to. Whether its someone like me reminsicing days in High school growing up or someone being taught the life lessons while growing up. The author captured your attention throughout the book and filled with many laughters and reminders of good times back in the day. You will be reminded of this era as if you were in it all over again with a smile on your face. This book you will feel like your in L.A. even if you've never been. Great read!

Wake up Momma - Your Ruining My Life

I started this book without any knowledge about its contents. This book completely surprised me. This is the story of a young girl Leesha, struggling to find her way out of an abusive environment created by her mother. Leesha's grandmother was her anchor giving her all the love that was missing from her relationship with her mother. When her mother's latest love interest moved in, Leesha became a hostage in her own home. Grammy was her salvation. When death came knocking Leesha loses the one person that loved her beyond a shadow of a doubt. Torn between the need to get a quick fix to her living arrangements, Leesha meets two very different men that become protective of her. One was leading the ganaster life and the other was a geek. I don't want to give away too much about this book but I guess what surprised me most about this book was the lack of sex. While Leesha entertains the idea of stripping, her protectors keep that life away from her. The book is very moving and leaves so many unanswered questions that I feel V. Anthony could easily do a sequel. Big ups to V. I totally enjoyed this book.