Baller Dreams

by Tasha Macklin, Wahida Clark (Editor)

After graduating from High School John Dre Dodson finds his future looming before him. He is forced to make a number of decisions that will change his life. Choosing school over the mean Detroit's Eastside streets, the sudden reality of his poor circumstances make him painfully aware of the fortunes that can be made if he embarks on the career path of a hustler. Deciding that he wants to be a baller, Dre meets and forms an alliance with an older, very beautiful female named Destiny. Unbeknownst to him, she had a secret and motive that draws her to him, which causes her to assist him in making all of his plans reality. Dre and his closest friends will create a clique called the Eastside Syndicate and set a hustle in motion like Detroit has never seen. No one else in the city will be able to compete with the murder and muscle game that they release upon the streets. However, when he falls in love with another and finds himself at odds with Destiny, the beautiful temptress who helped to make his dreams come true will stop at nothing to bring Dre and the organization that he created to its knees. Dre has everything that a hustler could ever want. Only when the tide turns, he will quickly realize that the dream life he once lived was no more than a nightmare in disguise.

Genres: Urban

306 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2012

About the author

Tasha Macklin came to life in the pages of Wahida Clark’s bestselling Thug series. As one of Wahida’s most beloved characters, Tasha Macklin is part of Wahida Clark’s growing literary empire.

Wahida began writing fiction while incarcerated at a women’s federal prison camp, and has written a dozen novels and short stories. After creating the New York Times bestselling Payback and Thug series, Wahida opened her own publishing company, Wahida Clark Presents, through which she publishes adult and teen urban fiction.

Tasha Macklin is a pseudonym for Wahida Clark

Reviews

[Dione Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hundred miles and running. It was a bit predictable but still good. I hoped Stacia would've made it out..I had some hope for Dre also..So much to say..but either side You take it's horrible ..

[Tamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50

Another hood tale with guns, dope, treachery, sex and glory.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Dre and Stacy Dre had good intentions even though he was to street, Destiny was full of herself I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to her in the end.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book today!!! I literally cried at the end. DRE was my favorite character. I loved the book!

[Mary Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had my attention from start to finish!

[OOSA · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Syndicate

Seventeen-year-old John ‘Dre’ Dodson has just graduated from high school. His grandmother raised him because his father is doing life in prison. She is extremely proud that Dre never fell victim to the streets like a lot of other young men. She told Dre that any of the automobile factories would be proud to hire him, or if he chose to go to college, she would find the money for him to go. Either way she would support him 100% whatever his decision was.

Unfortunately, Dre decided on an entirely different path than his grandmother wanted to see for her grandson. Dre wanted to make quick money with power and prestige. When Dre meets Destiny, a beautiful older woman, she knows who Dre is. He is John Jr., the son of the man that brought her up in the game. When she sets eyes on him, she is determined to make him hers. She opens doors for Dre to claim the streets. When Destiny finds out that Dre has been keeping time with another young lady and has feelings for her, Destiny’s emotions make her do the unthinkable. Will Dre get out the game before it is too late? Will Destiny get her revenge or will it backfire on her? And who will be left standing?

“Baller Dreams” by Tasha Macklin is your typical street-lit story. Young man has the world at his fingers but instead decides to take the illegal route and gets caught up with the money and fame. Along with the drugs, flashy cars, sex and money, it makes for an unoriginal storyline. Some parts of the story made me literally shake my head. The story also lacked the depth and description how Dre started in the game and established his crew to claim the streets.

“Baller Dreams” is just an okay read.

Reviewed by: LeonaR

[Tammy Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baller Dreams by Tasha Macklin. I really liked this book it was good read. I didn't like ending but it was still a good read. It was a a young hustler name Dre aka John Dobson. He meets Destiny beautiful but definitely deadly. Destiny also knew Dre's father it start out revenge against Dre father for the way he mistreated her. Dre was young he graduated from high school he lived with his grandmother. He had big dreams he wanted better for himself and his friends. Fast and quick money then here comes Destiny. She give Dre a taste of the good life. Destiny build him up and destroyed him and his crew she a scandalous chick. Dre tired to explain to her it was just business. She ended up catching feel ing for Dre. He was warned about Destiny and that she was the one who turned his father in to Fed's. Dre had street smarts and he was highly intelligent he wanted to build an empire. He ended up becoming the leader of the East side Syndicate Dre,Nut,Rossi,Billy and his crew. He meets and fall Iove with Stacy the one person who loved him unconditionally who made him believe in himself. His downfall was Money, Jealousy,Greed, Control ,Killing Never under estimated your opponent. Basically Dre was hustler and he also had different side that know one know about. Also he met one of his father business associates Torres. He died he had so much potential it was sad .

[Kiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by author Tasha Macklin. The storyline was ok, the characters were somewhat believable; for me, there were places in the book where the story seemed to just drag. Once I got a little over halfway in, it picked up, and I was able to finish it on a good note. I would definitely give this author another try.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this as usual. Loved it

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best part of the book was the cover. I salute the cover designer. I read the first two chapters and the last.

[Punkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

[Chanell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending wasn't clear on letting us know if a major character is dead.

[Linda. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, sex Drugs and Rock & Roll just what I like to Read

[Natasha potts]

great book i enjoyed every minute