Dreams Thrown Away [Paperback]

Dilsa Saunders Bailey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2009

Haunted by tragedy every step of the way, a young girl is orphaned just on the brink of womanhood. She survives on instinct and a desire to make it big. She has got dreams big enough to fill an ocean, but at the top of her wish list is a wealthy man who loves her unconditionally. With no one to turn to but herself, she lands in the midst of a family of wealthy, powerful men whose hunger for dominance outweigh her aspirations for success. She has only two choices, be dominated or learn how to fight back.

Meet Kali, a young woman filled with her own brand of lust for love and success. Yet, it keeps escaping her by missed words, bad timing, and the men in her life who seem bent on destroying her. One minute, she is living her dreams of grandeur and perfect love and the next minute, she is running from those same dreams as they become nightmares. Steadfast, but lonely and in love with a man who has already tried to kill her, she truly believes her chances of happiness will finally be fulfilled.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (August 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432742221
• ISBN-13: 978-1432742225
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,356,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dreams Thrown Away netted Dilsa Saunders Bailey a Georgia Writers Association nomination for Georgia Author of the Year Award-First Novel Category in 2010. A romantic suspense novel, Dreams Thrown Away is the first book in the series entitled The Sperling Chronicles. Storytelling had intrigued Bailey at a young age, and she has been writing as a hobby since age 13. After 20 years as a medical services professional and a public speaker, she decided it was time to share some of her stories about the unusual Sperling family and its strong, resilient heroine, Kalina Denise Harris. Bailey has appeared as an author on television, in print media, and on a variety of radio stations. Born in South Carolina, where she lived her first 17 years, Bailey moved to New Jersey and then to Pennsylvania before resettling permanently in Georgia. She has resided in Atlanta for the past 14 years.

Split Images, the sequel to Dreams Thrown Away, is a roller coaster ride follow-up to this fast paced drama. Part III of the series will be released in 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book will leave you begging for a sequel, October 22, 2009

By 

C. E. Mayo (Powhatan, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreams Thrown Away (Paperback)

Dreams Thrown Away

The development of the characters make you become personally attached as the story develops, or at least makes you want to be a voyeur into lives and lifestyles that may be so different from which you are accustomed. Unfortunately, the tragedy, heartbreak and losses experienced by the main character many women may relate to, making one wish for the best in life for her. By the end of the book readers will acknowledge, however, those fairytale endings are rarely a reality. In fact the book's ending leaves you with more questions than answers: Are things in life ever what they appear to be? Is the main character's husband who we think he is? Is a father's tearful mourning genuine? Is happiness and wholeness just an illusion? The sequel, and there MUST be a sequel, will answer these questions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised., October 20, 2009

By 

G. B. Watson (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreams Thrown Away (Paperback)

Dilsa Bailey really nailed it in her first novel. What a pleasant surprise. The storyline was atypical, but all the characters were well developed. For the main character, a young girl, to face the challenges she did while still in the throws of adolescence truly showed her strength and determination. I knew she would survive, however, I did expect a somewhat different ending. Overall, I was very satisfied with the book. A great read. Lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to all. GBW.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shattered Dreams..., January 15, 2010

By 

L. Romich "Book Nympho" (Akron, oH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreams Thrown Away (Paperback)

DREAMS THROWN AWAY by Dilsa Saunders Bailey is a coming-of-age story. We are introduced to Kalina Denise Harris, a young woman who is about to head off to college. Living in a small town where practically everyone knows one another and having such doting, loving parents makes for a sheltered life. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes leaving Kalina homeless and left in another state to fend for herself. All her hopes and dreams are put on hold.

In the midst of it all, she meets a family of very wealthy and powerful men. 74 year-old Jordan Banks will take Kalina under his wing and refine this country bumpkin into a sophisticated young woman. He sends her to college to make sure she gets the education she so desires. Little does Kalina realize that Jordan is a very dominating man and he may expect more in return than Kalina realizes. When Kalina meets Ashton Sperling, the lawyer in the family, she is smitten with him. Although he is married, they begin a love affair unlike any other. There is an underlying darkness to the Sperling men that Kalina will eventually find out for herself. At some point, she will be in a struggle with her emotions to flee or to fight back.

DREAMS THROWN AWAY by Dilsa Saunders Bailey was a remarkable debut. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character development draws you easily to the characters. The story reads like a lifetime movie that you just hate to end. It is a story about heartache, pain, love, lust and manipulation. My only issue with this book is that the ending seemed too rushed; if it were not for that, this would have easily been a 5-star read. I highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading more by this author.


This book was provided courtesy of the author.

Reviewed by Leona
APOOO BookClub