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The Sperling Chronicles #1
Dreams Thrown Away
The family legacy left by two men leaves a trail of deadlydeceit for those they love. One was a passionate jazz musician whose wealth wasbuilt on the suffering just so his boys could have anything and everything theywanted. The other, a minister, who believed in doing the right thing leaves hisdaughter to pay for his one incredible sin.
- GenresRomance
404 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2009
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Dilsa Saunders Bailey
4 books20 followersDilsa Saunders Bailey is a southern-born babe who loves to write about southern-born girls. Check out her short stories about a little southern girl living through the significant changes in American culture during the summer of 1968. But if you prefer, try her sizzling-hot romantic suspense series, The Sperling Chronicles, which begins as a coming-of-age story for a young southern girl who becomes the fierce matriarch of her family. You don't mess with Kali or her unpredictable family. That's why the first in the series, Dreams Thrown Away, received a nomination for the Georgia Author of the Year Award (GAYA) 2009 and a quarterfinalist status in the 2018 Screencraft Cinematic Book Contest. Her books don't disappoint, as she herself is an avid reader and lover of books. And still writing, working on the fourth entry in The Sperling Chronicles. You can find and add reviews on Goodreads and Amazon among other websites.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 26, 2018
Dreams. Dreams are a series of thoughts, images or emotions that occur while sleeping. Having daydreams is something that is pleasurable for you while you are awake. Most of us dream about what our lives would be like when we get older or what we want to be/want to do in life. Whenever you hear someone say "I'm living the dream", the things they thought about when they were younger is happening for them now. Is it possible to live the dream or is the best we can do is hope for the best?
Kalina Denise Harris is a young girl with a lot of big dreams. Kalina comes from a small town but she has big city dreams, and she can't wait to leave this small town behind! Kalina has dreams of going to a big college and leaving all of the sadness that she has to endure living in that smal town. One day Kalina world is rocked to the core and now she doesn't want to leave this small town that she calls home but she has no other choice. What is she to do? Where will she go? How will she make it not being at home around people that she knows?
Dreams Thrown Away is a book about decisions. Do we make the decision to follow our dreams, do we decide to fall in love and live happily ever after or do we decide to just make it through one day at a time? This book has you on the edge of your seat with some of the situations that are happening. You might be happy, you might be sad or you might just be in awe but whatever you are feeling you know that something in this book is causing you to feel that way. I enjoyed the character interaction and the flow of this book, it is an emotional rollercoaster. Bailey has written this book to make you want to read more. This is my first time reading one of her books but not the last, I will gladly continue this series.
Kalina Denise Harris is a young girl with a lot of big dreams. Kalina comes from a small town but she has big city dreams, and she can't wait to leave this small town behind! Kalina has dreams of going to a big college and leaving all of the sadness that she has to endure living in that smal town. One day Kalina world is rocked to the core and now she doesn't want to leave this small town that she calls home but she has no other choice. What is she to do? Where will she go? How will she make it not being at home around people that she knows?
Dreams Thrown Away is a book about decisions. Do we make the decision to follow our dreams, do we decide to fall in love and live happily ever after or do we decide to just make it through one day at a time? This book has you on the edge of your seat with some of the situations that are happening. You might be happy, you might be sad or you might just be in awe but whatever you are feeling you know that something in this book is causing you to feel that way. I enjoyed the character interaction and the flow of this book, it is an emotional rollercoaster. Bailey has written this book to make you want to read more. This is my first time reading one of her books but not the last, I will gladly continue this series.
September 5, 2017
By most accounts, I am considered a nerd. I write that because it is rare that I read books of fiction. However, I became curious about this book when a close friend of mine bought it (while visiting me from another state) and literally could not put it down! I wondered "what kind of book has a storyline so good that my friend nearly read it in one sitting?"
Well, I soon found out when I bought the book myself. As I read the story of heroine, Kalina "Kali" Harris, I became completely engrossed! Imagine a story that is a hybrid of the Jason Bourne and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books/movies - it moves quickly and is filled with unexpected twists and turns with Kali emerging victorious every time...or so it seems until the next obstacle appears.
It's a coming-of-age story that plays out unexpectedly and will leave you wanting to tell all of your friends about it. The book is well-written and left me anxiously anticipating cracking open the next book in The Sperling Chronicles - Split Images.
I HIGHLY recommend this book because it's a great story. Period.
Well, I soon found out when I bought the book myself. As I read the story of heroine, Kalina "Kali" Harris, I became completely engrossed! Imagine a story that is a hybrid of the Jason Bourne and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books/movies - it moves quickly and is filled with unexpected twists and turns with Kali emerging victorious every time...or so it seems until the next obstacle appears.
It's a coming-of-age story that plays out unexpectedly and will leave you wanting to tell all of your friends about it. The book is well-written and left me anxiously anticipating cracking open the next book in The Sperling Chronicles - Split Images.
I HIGHLY recommend this book because it's a great story. Period.
November 25, 2017
Dreams Thrown Away is fast-paced and believable with characters that will haunt you. Not only will you not want to put it down, you'll rush to continue with The Sperling Chronicles series. Dilsa Bailey is one to watch.
January 8, 2020
Once I started this book I could not put it down. I can’t wait to read the other 2 books!!
August 20, 2011
Title of book: Dreams Thrown Away
Author’s name: Dilsa Saunders Bailey
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Release date (or anticipated release): 08-14-2009
ISBN: 978-1-4327-4222-5
ASIN (if applicable): None
eBook ISBN: None
Specs: 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback, 404 pages, Ebook and Kindle Edition
Website (optional): www.dilsasaundersbailey.com
Category: Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Expectant Release Date: August 2009
Page count: 404
Size: 6x9 paperback, eBook available too on Nook and Kindle
Review Summary:
Kalina Denise Harris has dreams of meeting a wealthy man who will sweep her off her feet. This seems to be the fantasy-fairytale dream for most single young women. In the opening chapter, “word is our bond” was a valuable lesson taught between father and daughter’s morning talk. Sometimes, we are willing to throw our own dreams and happiness away to please someone else to make them happy. The once happy, perfect home clashes before Kalina’s eyes, and discovers her only friend, Mandy, married and pregnant. She was hoping her only friend would also go to college too. Later, she has nowhere but to her aunt’s house in Philadelphia. This situation didn’t last very long. No longer a country girl with a drawl, has to learn the streets and runs into people who knew her mother and aunt—small world. Her naïve upbringing surely changes after two years of being under the household of Jordan living with his six grandsons by his son, Billy.
This debut novel is a splendid read, beautifully written and delicately told with such horrid incidents flash on the pages once an adulterous affair goes berserk leaving the seventeen-year-old Kalina in a hopeless state. Dreams shattered in a tickling of an eye. Moreover, this story had twists and turns and tragic events I was not looking to bump into. The author also wrote a story that wasn’t predictable and hoped for a meaningful ending. I hope this author writes more entertaining and edgy stories because she has a fan!
Lesson: Be careful what you do to others, for you will reap what you sow.
Dream 4 More Reviews received a copy of "Dream Thrown Away" via pdf file (eBook) from the author for a book review.
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Adrienna Turner
Wooed Me Dream!
www.dream4more.webs.com
Author’s name: Dilsa Saunders Bailey
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Release date (or anticipated release): 08-14-2009
ISBN: 978-1-4327-4222-5
ASIN (if applicable): None
eBook ISBN: None
Specs: 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback, 404 pages, Ebook and Kindle Edition
Website (optional): www.dilsasaundersbailey.com
Category: Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Expectant Release Date: August 2009
Page count: 404
Size: 6x9 paperback, eBook available too on Nook and Kindle
Review Summary:
Kalina Denise Harris has dreams of meeting a wealthy man who will sweep her off her feet. This seems to be the fantasy-fairytale dream for most single young women. In the opening chapter, “word is our bond” was a valuable lesson taught between father and daughter’s morning talk. Sometimes, we are willing to throw our own dreams and happiness away to please someone else to make them happy. The once happy, perfect home clashes before Kalina’s eyes, and discovers her only friend, Mandy, married and pregnant. She was hoping her only friend would also go to college too. Later, she has nowhere but to her aunt’s house in Philadelphia. This situation didn’t last very long. No longer a country girl with a drawl, has to learn the streets and runs into people who knew her mother and aunt—small world. Her naïve upbringing surely changes after two years of being under the household of Jordan living with his six grandsons by his son, Billy.
This debut novel is a splendid read, beautifully written and delicately told with such horrid incidents flash on the pages once an adulterous affair goes berserk leaving the seventeen-year-old Kalina in a hopeless state. Dreams shattered in a tickling of an eye. Moreover, this story had twists and turns and tragic events I was not looking to bump into. The author also wrote a story that wasn’t predictable and hoped for a meaningful ending. I hope this author writes more entertaining and edgy stories because she has a fan!
Lesson: Be careful what you do to others, for you will reap what you sow.
Dream 4 More Reviews received a copy of "Dream Thrown Away" via pdf file (eBook) from the author for a book review.
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Adrienna Turner
Wooed Me Dream!
www.dream4more.webs.com
April 2, 2011
I was impressed with this book. The story is about a teenaged girl whose life is devastated by the murder -suicide of her parents by her father. Kalina is forced to grow up quickly after she leaves South Carolina to move to Philadelphia, PA. She has been sent to live with her Aunt Mazetta. Little did Kalina know that this would be the beginning of her being under the control of other people who don’t always have her best interest at heart. After her aunts boyfriend tried to sexually assault her, Kalina got away and ran away and never looked back. Thus begins her life of pursuing her dreams which came with a steep price. Kalina’s life is no longer her own and she seems to become complacent with this. That is until a life altering event forces her to choose between life and death. The reader will be caught up in Kalina’s story til the end. There are some unexpected twists and turns but the storyline is never lost. I didn’t want to put this book down once I started it. I believe strongly that anyone reading it will feel the same.
Zandra Barnes
AAMBC Reviewer
Zandra Barnes
AAMBC Reviewer
June 26, 2011
Only Time Will Tell
Kalina is the apple of her father's eye. Her relationship with her mother is a little rocky. Kalina longs to leave her small town and start college. Her wish, to leave, comes true quicker than planned and horrifically. On the heels of her parents' murder-suicide, Kalina is sent to live with an aunt in Philadelphia. Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia, Kalina finds herself homeless. A kind stranger who offers her a job takes her in. Kalina can't believe her luck; a job and she can still go to college. Little does she know all her job entails...
"Dreams Thrown Away" by Dilsa Saunders Bailey was an excellent story. Following Kalina through her life's journey will have the reader not wanting to put the book down.
Reviewed by: Alicia
Kalina is the apple of her father's eye. Her relationship with her mother is a little rocky. Kalina longs to leave her small town and start college. Her wish, to leave, comes true quicker than planned and horrifically. On the heels of her parents' murder-suicide, Kalina is sent to live with an aunt in Philadelphia. Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia, Kalina finds herself homeless. A kind stranger who offers her a job takes her in. Kalina can't believe her luck; a job and she can still go to college. Little does she know all her job entails...
"Dreams Thrown Away" by Dilsa Saunders Bailey was an excellent story. Following Kalina through her life's journey will have the reader not wanting to put the book down.
Reviewed by: Alicia
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March 7, 2015Action packed, roller coaster plot involving Kalina Denise Harris from Roebuck, SC a 17 year old reeling from the murder suicide of her parents is sent to live with Aunt Mazetta in deplorable condition in Philadelphia but after being attack by her own aunt lands in the luxurious,mysterious and dangerous world of the Sperling men. Good character development, engaging plot with lots of spice. Good read.
September 11, 2010
This was a great story about a girl who seems to be haunted by tragedy and followed by bad luck but she never give up on hope and dreams. It was a great page turned that I just could not put down. The author is working on a sequel and I cannot wait to read the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews