Product Description

One woman's story of prostitution, drugs and finding the courage to escape

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3420 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-09
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Synopsis
This moving memoir tells the story of how a young woman descended into the world of prostitution and drug abuse, yet found the strength to rebuild her life. Rhea Coombs' father is a convicted murderer and she grew up with a hippy mother who constantly moved house and lived in a succession of squats and communes before settling in Bristol. It was in Bristol that Rhea had her first introduction to drugs, pimps and prostitution. Pregnant at sixteen, she escaped to London and mixed with gangsters in seedy Soho nightclubs, eventually becoming addicted to crack and heroin and running a crack house. Rhea was forced to give up her children, but she never stopped loving them and through her strength and courage was finally able to escape for the world of drugs and prostitution, and regain custody of her children. This is her remarkable story.

From the Back Cover
One woman's story of escape from drug addiction, prostitution and abuse to a new life

Raised by a bohemian mother in a succession of squats and communes, Rhea Coombs never felt she truly belonged anywhere. Her feeling of isolation only intensified in her teens when she became involved in drugs and prostitution. Then, at just sixteen, Rhea found herself pregnant and fled to London to escape her abusive partner. Within a few years she was using crack heavily and was forced to give up her children.

With her children gone, Rhea became trapped in a world of drugs and prostitution, finally ending up running a crack house. Through it all she never stopped loving her children. This is the shocking yet moving story of how Rhea survived in the underworld and escaped to rebuild her life, regain custody of her children, and begin to help others.

Rhea Coombs has stopped using drugs and selling sex, and now works for a church-based charity in London that helps disadvantaged people, including women involved in prostitution. Rhea's son is sixteen, and her daughter is nine years old.

Diane Taylor is a freelance journalist living in London. This is her second book.

About the Author
Rhea Coombs has stopped using drugs and selling sex and now works for a church-based charity in London that helps disadvantaged people, including women involved in prostitution. Now 32, her son is 15, and her daughter is 8 years old.

Diane Taylor is author of the bestselling Catch Me Before I Fall, with Rosie Childs.