Dirty

by Tonya Lampley

“Fat people want to be thin, poor people want to be rich, the common want fame, the powerful want more power. We think that if we had that one thing, we’d be happy. In a way…we’re all just chasing ghosts.”~Chantal, Dirty by Tonya Lampley

Abandoned by her father and bullied by her schoolmates because of her mixed race, Deidre McCall has had a rough life. Trapped in Lewenton, Mississippi, a town so small it's not even listed on the map, she dreams of her escape. Determined to pursue a life-long dream, she abandons her town's dirt roads and heads for the bright lights of the big city and the promise of happiness it holds. But instead of escaping her baggage, she's carried it all with her. And when life doesn't make sense, the last place in the world you want to be is in New York City. The truth concealed. A family secret revealed. As the years progress Deidre finds her life in New York doesn't look much better than it did when she was back home. And when Prentice Fennell, World Champion Boxer enters the picture, things take an unexpected turn.

Join Deidre on her journey as she discovers the secret to happiness that has eluded her all her life—when you're at peace with yourself, nothing else really matters and no matter where the road may lead you, "home" is a condition of the heart.

246 pages, ebook

First published October 12, 2015

About the author

A reformed corporate grinder living in Ohio. I share my life with my husband and spend my days writing uplifting stories about characters who find the courage to improve their lives by taking leaps of faith and believing in themselves. My stories center around all the things that make us human…love, loss, redemption. I believe that strong women and evolved men have the power to change the world. I write to change the consciousness of both. I read to change my own.

Website: www.TonyaLampley.com
Facebook: Tonya Lampley, Author
Twitter @TonyaLampley

Reviews

[Daisy Blacklock · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9 out of 5 stars

Dirty by Tonya Lampley is such an exceptional book that you can’t help but love it and get swept away in its pages.

It really intrigued me from the very first page and I was so tied up in the story.

I really liked how it emphasised and hinted at problems we face in today’s world like topic such as race, gender equality, self-love, understanding of the world and so much more. There are so may elements to it that really pack a punch and make you think and reflect. I think that there is at least something in there that most people will be able relate to when reading this, so it’s definitely worth giving it a go.

It was fast paced, and I really enjoyed how the story was constantly moving along and it made it a great read without a dull moment. I was completely hooked and just wanted to keep reading more and more. I absolutely devoured it!

The writing style was unique, and I wasn’t so sure on it at first. It grew on me throughout though and I think it worked well with the story. Honestly it was so so good, I absolutely flew through it. The only reason why it wasn’t 5 stars was a handful of flaws in the writing. Other than I absolutely adored it.

The character development was great, especially in terms of Deidre’s character, and the ending really made it for me. Also, it’s hard not to love Chantel – she was such a highlight in the book for me too. Such a great read – I’d highly recommend.

Thank you Tonya for my copy.

[Barbra Athill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Deidre was a small town country girl who always dreamed of living in a big city and becoming an actress, so once she graduated high school that is exactly what she did. Leaving behind her mother and her best friend, Henry, Deidre moves to New York with her aunt Thelma chasing her dreams. Although things didn't work out as she planned, she found a way to make things work. I expected a different ending with a cliffhanger, but it was a good book none the less