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Dirt Ball Bad
Over the past decade, the casino industry has flourished in Missouri, creating an invisible society of addicts. Casinos' target patrons with cheap buffets, free transportation, and money-back coupons. Society thrives on the idea of receiving something for free. Eager to gamble, many people neglect to pay bills. Seniors in particularly, neglect to pay for their medication. Dirt Ball Bad depicts the trials and tribulations of three addicted gamblers. Futura Casinos' atmosphere propels Ethel, Jennifer and Whitney into a world of death, deception, prostitution, insanity and incarceration.
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2005
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 4, 2007
Lesley Nowlin really captured the essence of those afflicted with the gambling bug! Three unlikely friends are drawn together for one cause, to strike it rich at the River Boat Casinos in Dirt Ball Bad. Ethel, the senior citizen with an unbeatable spirit; Jennifer, the never do well young woman; and Whitney, the bank teller. The women from three different walks of life are joined together in a kind of precarious friendship because they are smitten with the gambling fever. Feverish gambling has sunk these ladies to their all time low. Homelessness, prostitution, and larceny plague these women who are willing to gamble away their homes, jobs and yes, even their health
Dirt Ball Bad paints a morbid portrait of those that are afflicted with the gambling bug. The characters leap off of the page to seemingly bring them alive. I got really absorbed into the book. There were times that I wanted to reach into the book and shake the ladies and wake them up. Ms. Nowlin did her homework and produced a page-turner. Her characters were lively and full of spirit. The writer spoke volumes about the evils of riverboat gambling. This book was a wake up call for those of us that are hardcore gamblers. I enjoyed this book immensely and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Margaret Ball
APOOOO Bookclub
Dirt Ball Bad paints a morbid portrait of those that are afflicted with the gambling bug. The characters leap off of the page to seemingly bring them alive. I got really absorbed into the book. There were times that I wanted to reach into the book and shake the ladies and wake them up. Ms. Nowlin did her homework and produced a page-turner. Her characters were lively and full of spirit. The writer spoke volumes about the evils of riverboat gambling. This book was a wake up call for those of us that are hardcore gamblers. I enjoyed this book immensely and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Margaret Ball
APOOOO Bookclub
January 2, 2009
Chasing Money
Here in Dirt Ball Bad, you encounter five people; three of them are chasing paper and the other two are in love with women with bad habits.
Whitney is a 29-year-old bank branch manager who on the surface appears to have herself in order. Good job, nice car, and beautiful apartment. She likes going to the boat about three times a week. It's relaxing. Besides, she doesn't have a man in her life so it is also a form of entertainment. Isn't it? Instead of paying bills, she finds that she can do some double dipping.
Ethel and Whitney meet after Ethel has lost all of her money on the one arm bandit and Whitney hits a jackpot on that precise machine. Despite that, Whitney doesn't have a daily routine like Ethel and they become friends. If Ethel can get her hands on some money, borrowing from her son or her sister, she's insured of a trip. She has to conjure up the right stories to keep the loans flowing in. By any and all means she has to be at the boat!
Jennifer is also 29 and has been chasing the boat so long that it has cost her the custody of her son. Unfortunately she can't go to her relatives' houses due to the infatuation she has with the boat. So instead she takes money from the only man that loved her. She did love him, but she's become hard to deal with because her addiction. Jennifer is so low that she's resulted to doing other things for boat money.
Barry is a Blackjack dealer who has met Whitney. He feels as if she may be a little bit out of his league. He's decided to throw caution to the wind as he's committed to winning her over.
Blade loves Jennifer and has done everything in an attempt to keep her from the boat. She will always hold a tender spot in his heart. Will Jennifer's battle with her addiction keep her from winning Blade back?
I highly recommend this book. Dirt Ball Bad is a MUST read for anyone that has ever been on a gambling boat, or even considering it. There is a very thin line in playing for fun and playing in hopes of winning!!!!
Reviewed by: Carmen
Here in Dirt Ball Bad, you encounter five people; three of them are chasing paper and the other two are in love with women with bad habits.
Whitney is a 29-year-old bank branch manager who on the surface appears to have herself in order. Good job, nice car, and beautiful apartment. She likes going to the boat about three times a week. It's relaxing. Besides, she doesn't have a man in her life so it is also a form of entertainment. Isn't it? Instead of paying bills, she finds that she can do some double dipping.
Ethel and Whitney meet after Ethel has lost all of her money on the one arm bandit and Whitney hits a jackpot on that precise machine. Despite that, Whitney doesn't have a daily routine like Ethel and they become friends. If Ethel can get her hands on some money, borrowing from her son or her sister, she's insured of a trip. She has to conjure up the right stories to keep the loans flowing in. By any and all means she has to be at the boat!
Jennifer is also 29 and has been chasing the boat so long that it has cost her the custody of her son. Unfortunately she can't go to her relatives' houses due to the infatuation she has with the boat. So instead she takes money from the only man that loved her. She did love him, but she's become hard to deal with because her addiction. Jennifer is so low that she's resulted to doing other things for boat money.
Barry is a Blackjack dealer who has met Whitney. He feels as if she may be a little bit out of his league. He's decided to throw caution to the wind as he's committed to winning her over.
Blade loves Jennifer and has done everything in an attempt to keep her from the boat. She will always hold a tender spot in his heart. Will Jennifer's battle with her addiction keep her from winning Blade back?
I highly recommend this book. Dirt Ball Bad is a MUST read for anyone that has ever been on a gambling boat, or even considering it. There is a very thin line in playing for fun and playing in hopes of winning!!!!
Reviewed by: Carmen
April 15, 2016
What a fantastic Book! I had no idea it had been out for so long. I initially got it because its based in Saint Louis, MO Where I am from, but it was a great read from beginning to middle to end! Bravo My Homie! More please! BLESS
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews