ADDICTED TO YOU is a bittersweet tale of a child lost forever... Growing up in the cold-blooded streets of Chicago was easy; it was growing up with a cold-blooded mother that was hard.
Book is narrated from the seed in the womb and birthed into a scandalous world of heartache and pain.
A sleek urban novel of a young child's struggle and addiction... Growing up in the inner city of Chicago, Nickie Brown already had two strikes against her. ONE - her mother was addicted to drugs and TWO - her father was addicted to drugs. From day one, Nickie would begin her journey struggling for her life, as her mother would repeatedly inflict the ultimate crime of betrayal against her newborn body.
Surviving, Nickie’s journey would continue with permanent scars on her soul and an undeniable vengeance in her heart. She was determined now, more than ever, to break that vicious cycle of drug abuse and prove everybody wrong; but in the mean, callous streets of Chicago that was going to be virtually impossible to do.
When Nickie, a young woman now is ridiculed by her best friend, and discarded by her parents, her journey suddenly self-destructs and sends her running into the arms of the wrong man, Andre Bland. Thought to be her savior he quickly becomes her worst nightmare, using his fist to not only bruise her face, but to batter her heart as well.
Find out what happens in this slice of life, fast-paced novel... Parental Guidence is suggested.
Excerpt
“Imagine a young girl curled in a fetal position. Her small arms tucked deep beneath her, her thin legs crossed and tight. “Oh my God, I think it’s time!” She yells out in pain as she struggles to sit up. I can’t do this! She protests. “Help me, somebody please help me, the fourteen year old cried.” Only the crack house was vacant that day...Carefully she backs herself into the corner, and spread her legs far and wide. Got damn it, she cursed, all I want is one HIT, She continued, as she placed the cocaine pipe in her mouth and sucked in frantically. Jaws and face all sucked in like she was a vacuum cleaner using her mouth as the hose... Within seconds, her contraction kicked in and HIT her so hard it sent shock waves through her thin body. Shock waves so strong she could have put the electric company out of business.
Ten seconds later, her lower body shook from the cold hardwood floor, as a flood of blood began a journey of it’s own.
Okay Joslyn, she reasoned with herself. “You can do this.”
Reluctantly, she squats and bears down, as she attempts to push her problem out.
Her subconscious mind begs her to control her breathing, while her weightless body shivers from all the cramps and pain.
“Lord please get this thing out of me,” she prayed and cried, then prayed again…
Oh my God! It’s coming, she yelled!!! Sweat and tears flooded her eyes as she tried to focus in on her unwanted child.
“It’s not moving!” She gasped.
Oh my God! She continued to grow amazed as she shook her helpless newborn like a lifeless rag doll on it's last leg...
What’s wrong with it? She continued to shake. “Oh my God! She finally realized… It’s dead!”
Overcome with fear and disbelief, she quickly reached for the razor blade that sat beside her cocaine tray and carefully cut the cord.
The very same cord that had tied her to a life she never wanted anyway.
Quickly she wrapped the estimated four-pound baby girl in her bloody skirt and searched the dirty/empty room for a paper-bag.
Barely able to stand now, she carefully patted her torn vagina with the T-shirt, which she had so quickly ripped from her back. She would go on to fold the t-shirt inside out and use it as a maxi pad. Carefully she rolled and stuffed it into her 'now' torn underwear.
Panic-stricken now, she grabbed her lighter and razor blade and stuffed it inside her linted pockets. She then grabbed the paper-bag and searched the room for the nearest exit.
The Dumpster outside seemed to be filled to its capacity, but she didn’t hesitate to stuff the bag along the side.
“I’ll never use drugs again.” She said, as she quickly left the scene of her crime, never once looking back. Well, she continued, as the reality of the situation quickly came to mind… “if I do use cocaine again, it won’t be when I’m pregnant that’s for sure….”
But once again, she lied.
Professional Reviews
Myshelf.com
Book Review
ADDICTED TO YOU (When Saying Goodbye Could Get You Killed)
By Alvin Romer
Thadine Quick embarks on a subject that is rarely told in such a detailed manner. This, indeed is a story worth taking the time to read. Why? Because substance abuse and drug addiction is so prevalent in our society that it demands attention. Now comes an author who is willing to share a story so close to her experience.
ADDICTED TO YOU is one child's desperation to shed the cloak of identification in a journey filled with scandal, mayhem, and angst. What makes it unusual is the author's choice to tell the story from a narrative perspective from that of the seed in the womb! The protagonist is Nickie Brown who has the misfortune of having both parents addicted to drugs, who traverse
trials and tribulation shedding the stigma of being a 'Crack Baby', while determining to become drug free in lieu of the addiction that has defined her. The story is progressive as it depicts Nickie's life as she deals with the trauma and nuances around her.
Of course the antagonist is crack cocaine. The supporting cast, Ron and Denise (her brother and sister-in-law); Cheryl (best friend), Andre (surrogate friend) all have roles to support and/or attribute to the story's gripping tale. It takes you through the
tough streets of Chicago reliving Nickie's evolution, such as being discarded by her parents, running to the arms of the wrong man, and succumbing to the netherworld of drugs. But alas, there's gold at the end of the rainbow, for the ending will really
surprise you. The author ask that you read Nickie's unforgettable struggle so that you can fully understand the depth of her journey, and I SECOND THE EMOTION!
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Reviews for "ADDICTED TO YOU"
Reviewed by Faithtoms Solution
11/27/2025
Hello Thadine N. Quick,
Your book ADDICTED TO YOU is an incredibly raw and emotional urban drama that highlights cycles of trauma, family struggles, and survival in the harsh realities of Chicago’s streets. Nickie Brown’s journey growing up in an environment shaped by addiction, neglect, and betrayal creates a gripping, unforgettable reading experience that resonates deeply with fans of urban fiction and real-life drama.
Your storytelling stands out because of:
✔️ A bold narrative voice
✔️ Authentic urban drama
✔️ Emotional intensity and resilience
✔️ A powerful message about breaking destructive cycles
Authors with your kind of voice deserve wider reach. I help writers grow their audience through:
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If you’d like, I can share a breakdown of promotion options and how I can help bring ADDICTED TO YOU to more readers who appreciate raw, real-life storytelling.
I haven't read the book but the exerpts show that it's a caprivating and intruiguing write. It sounds like a definate MUST read!
God bless, Thadine!
Sandie.
Reviewed by Tee
2/3/2003
Can't wait to get your book. The excerpt was so good I wish I had the book today. I think this is an important story. I am also an author. I am currently completing my book about my life's struggle with my mother's drug addiction. I look forward to reading your story. It sounds so real........
Reviewed by Thomas
7/5/2002
I am running to Amazon.com to order that book today! The excerpt blew me away.....it was so detailed and touching. I have to know how the story ends!
Reviewed by Joe McCarthy
5/19/2002
Wow, what an excerpt. I began reading it with no intention of finishing but the power of the story keep me going to the end of the exerpt. (this may sound strange but you have a cool name for an author. Another writer's hip name, at this site, is Renee Angers)
Reviewed by Angie Brown
3/13/2002
We need to get together and work on the screenplay for this... Call me and let's do lunch!!!!!
Reviewed by Shelly Hollar
3/12/2002
Reviewed by Miranda Prather
10/31/2001
A daring work for the reader who is unafraid of having his/her beliefs challenged. The language is lyrical and supports the fine plot. Definitely a must read for inquisitive intellectuals.
Reviewed by D. Weissenberger
10/31/2001
Your story is interesting; I'd like to read more. Is all of it so dramatic? Thanks for sharing,
Dan
Reviewed by
10/24/2001
Girl, let me tell you, you are blessed to be able to have such a talent. Being able to speak in a story like this is just God's Blessing.
Keep Moving Girl...
Very powerful. A definite "MUST READ". Great job Thadine.
Reviewed by Angela Weathered
10/10/2001
Wow! This story is filled with emotion. The realism is unbelievable. I like the title- the play on words is very cleaver.
Reviewed by Diane Wattles
9/24/2001
This is a book that defines the destitution, emotionally and physically, that can result in a drug-infected world. Truly good writing and an intriguing story.
Reviewed by Tyrone Godfrey
8/31/2001
Thadine, There is only one word that describes this wonderful work of yours,
"Awesome!"
I am planning on buying this book. What I have read in the excerpt has enticed me into wanting to read the book. I have an adopted daughter and learned recently that her birth mother is a drug addict. I think this book will be helpful for her to read, too.
Reviewed by Flavia Bachan
8/9/2001
Addicted to you is intriguing!! A great book to read on cool rainy day. The characters come alive and you find
yourself living in an unspoken world. A place where you enter into the mind and soul of a young woman, plagued
by addiction and abuse. The author has a way of enlightening you to innermost parts of addiction and how it
affects the lives of others. Addicted to you is a soulful piece of work; I truly enjoyed it.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Spoken Word
This CD will touch the deepest inner part of your humanness and spirit, you will never be the same after listening to the depths of struggle, the reality of life, the touching voice of truth. It will shock you, move you to tears. It w
