Dare to Dream

<p class=ql-align-center><strong><em>Some stories don't just entertain - they remind you who you were.</em></strong></p><p class=ql-align-center></p><p></p><p>Two facts about Lake Los Angeles: one there's no lake and two it's nowhere near Los Angeles.</p><p></p><p>That's where Kiara ends up after her parents' divorce-in the middle of nowhere-a land of Joshua trees dust devils and tumbleweeds. Kiara's mom calls it affordable housing; Kiara calls it hell.</p><p></p><p>Growing up in the 1980s and 90s Kiara drifts through life trying to please everyone-her mother who can't show affection her brother who barely hides his contempt and friends who aren't what they seem.</p><p></p><p>When she meets green-eyed Cole she discovers the spark to seek out more from life.</p><p></p><p>Escaping the town that's suffocating her is Kiara's only option. But leaving means trusting herself and letting go of the things she's terrified of losing.</p><p></p><p><strong>There is a life beyond the desert. Can she dare to dream a way out?</strong></p><p></p><p>The first book in the <em>Desert of Dreams Series </em>- standalone stories connected by friendship place and the courage to overcome.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Perfect for readers who love:</strong></p><ul><li>Tender character-driven coming-of-age stories</li><li>Nostalgic 1980s-1990s settings and small-town life</li><li>Journeys of self-discovery and courage that linger after the last page</li></ul><p></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>a wonderful coming-of-age story... a powerful and very worthy read.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center>- Jamie Michele for<em> Readers' Favorite </em>(5-Star Review)</p><p class=ql-align-center></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>exceptional... a treasure trove of thought-provoking insights </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center>- D. Donovan Sr. Reviewer <em>Midwest Book Review</em></p><p class=ql-align-center></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>deeply compelling moments of warmth and humor... a heartfelt tale of resilience and hope. </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><em>- Publishers Weekly BookLife</em></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>By award-winning author Amanda LaPera</strong> whose books have earned<em> Readers' Favorite </em>5-star reviews and <em>BookLife Prize IBPA Benjamin Franklin</em> and<em> IAN Book-of-the-Year </em>Awards recognition.</p><p></p><p></p><p><em>Content Warning: Different books in the Desert of Dreams Series address sensitive but important topics which may include bullying and peer pressure; troubled sibling relationships; struggling friendships and romantic relationships; divorce; religion; racism and classism; historical events of the late 1980s and 1990s; death; neglect and abuse (physical emotional and/or sexual); trauma (generational and situational); drugs alcohol and sex; teen pregnancy; abortion; and mental illness including depression suicidal ideation PTSD and anxiety.</em></p>