Age of Dreams [Kindle Edition]

Marie Symeou (Author)

Book Description

"A novel of ambition, heartache and finding yourself"

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s music scene, Age of Dreams is a gripping story of fame, addiction and love, taking the reader on a deeply absorbing journey.

When troubled Nicola James' dream of becoming a famous singer comes true, the pressures of the music industry combined with the emotional baggage from her childhood turns her dream into a nightmare.

On a soul-searching journey which takes her to hell and back, Nicola must find a way to conquer her troubled past, discover her true self-worth, and what to love and being loved really means. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This compelling story of a sensitive young woman's search for a fulfilling life kept me turning the pages far into the night'' - E Clover

"A compelling, well written and thought provoking book"

"A wonderful novel about dreams and what happens when they come true" - Amazon Review

From the Author

Semi-autobiographical novel about being a teenager in the 1980s and dreaming of escape. Some of it relates to my memoir The Cat Years: How My Cat Soulmates Saved Me.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 556 KB
• Print Length: 315 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466402687
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Marie Symeou; 1 edition (October 6, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005SE2VMS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #777,366 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fame, Fortune, and Fantoms June 10, 2012

By L.Leander

Format:Kindle Edition

Ok, so I didn't spell phantoms right, but you get the idea. Although this book started a little slow for me and seemed a bit choppy, it wasn't soon before I was hooked. Personally, I felt the writing didn't grab me enough in the beginning as I would have enjoyed a slower pace and getting to know the characters more instead of being rushed into the non-stop world of the music business. Having said that, I have nothing else to say than read the book! It's funny, sad, and offers a view of the innermost circle of being famous that most people never experience or see. As a singer/songwriter I have seen much of the seamier side of the way the business works, but even I was surprised. I was at times sad to the point of tears for the heroine, Nicole James, and at other times I felt like wringing her neck for being such a spineless twit. For that, I give Ms. Symeou kudos, as she wrote her character with actual feelings and defects that the reader identifies with. I found myself spellbound, hoping that Nicole would come to her senses, watching her wade through years of abuse and self doubt. From coming to grips with the past and looking forward to the future, the reader follows a famous woman who has no feelings of self worth and must learn to love herself before she can love someone else. You won't be disappointed in this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A singer's journey though the 80s and 90s July 11, 2012

By Kelly Hitchcock

Format:Kindle Edition

Age of Dreams chronicles the life of rising and falling star Nicola James, a depressive singer who's so wrapped in her own trauma she lets it drive to her to make one bad decision after another, but life finally works out for her in the end. Joe was my favorite character; he never gave up on anyone (especially Nicola) even after she hurts him repeatedly. The book goes from one year to the next, over the span of about 20 years. I enjoyed the 80s the most - all the silly fashion and music references made me smile, but Symeou balances it with the darker side of drug and alcohol abuse. Nicola has all kinds of complicated relationships over those 20 years: with the band, with her family, and with her romantic interests (who never quite seem to measure up to her first love).

It's a fast-paced story that covers a lot of ground and has some flashes of literary brilliance. My only criticism is that I had a hard time connecting and empathizing with the main character, but there were plenty of others that made up for it. It's definitely worth checking out.

Kelly I. Hitchcock
Author of The Redheaded Stepchild

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars All pretty little roses need a closer look December 17, 2011

By Tiffany Fulton

Format:Paperback

If my book Idol Siren is a peek into the sunshine of a soon-to-be starlet in the making, then Age of Dreams is a movie about the dark side of fame. (^_^) It's a fast paced novel about a girl named Nicola James who is an aspiring singer-songwriter. We go on a wild ride as she quickly soaks up fame that presents her with challenges like addiction and love, and her past merges with her present self very obviously in this book. Her band is really cool.

More About the Author

Born in North London, where she still lives, Marie Symeou is an author, animal advocate, animal healer, pet blogger and proud cat mum.

Official author website
www.mariesymeou.com

Cat Blogs
http://www.purrsfulloflove.com/
http://catgoddessathena.blogspot.co.uk/