Crystal Dreams [Paperback]

Astrid Cooper (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: JB Books (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0958699836
• ISBN-13: 978-0958699839
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,950,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Dare to be different!" Astrid's motto has taken her life and career in many exciting directions: she has met Hollywood stars and a movie producer, internationally acclaimed authors, an Apollo astronaut. But how did she get started?

Star Trek is to blame!

It was 1965. The first touch of 'weird' entered my life.

In 1976, Trek-dom introduced me to mainstream s.f./fantasy fandom and I wrote fan fic, and original works, allowing people to read my writing for the first time. As a person who prefers to become involved, rather than an observer, my frantic fan-years saw me running conventions, writing and/or acting in numerous s.f. plays, publishing over 100 fanzines and co-ordinating several 'fan' clubs: StarTrek, and Darkover. I also joined the S.C.A. and enjoy costuming and all things historical to the present day.

But I was fascinated by the fantastic long before Trek came along and for that I must 'blame' my parents. They told me stories about magical dolphins and fairies and every Friday night we went to the local library. I am forever thankful that we didn't own a tv set until I was 8 years old and that my family were avid readers. Books were everywhere in my childhood and I have a library in my home that flows into just about every room in the house.

As a young adult I read "The Lord of the Rings" and this book was a turning point in my reading and writing tastes. Then I discovered the books of the women writers: Marion Zimmer Bradley, Tanith Lee, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. Le Guin. What fantastic stories they wove and what fascinating worlds and characters they introduced! Characters: 'real' people - not just bug-eyed monsters being zapped by ray guns or sword-wielding, muscle bound hunks with the love 'em and leave 'em attitude towards the females they encountered on their magical quests.

Now, I indulge my penchant for the exotic and my published works range from spec. fic., to fantasy/paranormal sensual romance. I also write non fiction (writing related topics and historical treatises - Richard III, medieval and theatrical costuming, King Arthur - fact or fiction: the list goes on!)

I live in rural South Australia on a 2.5 acre property that I planted with over 1,000 native trees, shrubs and an 'unknown' number of exotics. My interest is permaculture/self-sufficiency and I have a vegie patch, fruit and nut orchards, everything organic. I share my home with a menagerie of rescued (some formerly abused) animals and after many requests, I am now writing a book about my animal shelter.

I love to hear from readers, so please do not hesitate to email me. I will reply to any mail I receive (though it may take me some days to respond due to writing commitments).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Futristic Highland, May 28, 2001

By 

T Storar (Bakersfield) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Dreams (Paperback)

When I first read the premise for this book, I thought how will this plot line ever work? But, it works very well. The story line keeps you guessing on what will happen next. The characters are fully developed and believable. Connal is the original Alpha-male and Liandra is an excellent match for him in every way. This book will definately find a spot on my "keeper" shelf.

5.0 out of 5 stars Crystal Dreams is original and compelling, May 5, 2010

By 

Eve Paludan (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Dreams (Paperback)

I truly enjoyed Crystal Dreams! To readers of sci-fi, new age, fantasy and historicals: Crystal Dreams has all of this and more. It is so original, so enthralling, and so heartfelt, you won't be able to put it down. I loved the characters, the otherworld-ness, and the plot. A book like this comes along maybe once every five years. If you are tired of reading the same old stories, CRYSTAL DREAMS will be a refreshing read from this talented new author. Get your copy before they are all sold out! I predict they will become collectors' items.

5.0 out of 5 stars AuthorZone.Com Book Review, July 18, 2003

By 

AuthorZone.Com Book Review (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Dreams (Paperback)

The Review:
An opponent lies disguised far in the passionless deepness of space ready to obliterate Caledonian Chieftain Connal MacArran. MacArran must protect his world. In doing so he is propelled into an affiliation with Liandra Tavor a mentor with the League of Worlds. Connal is both fascinated and repulsed by the mythical libido the foreign enchantress is said to embody. The green haired Asarian dreamweaver has never experienced anything to match the feeling she realizes as she dreamshares with Connal on her crystal bed.

On the surface MacArran's task appears quite fundamental. He will avail himself of Liandra's exceptional powers to find a missing clansman Garris then flee from her as soon as his assignment is completed. As with most simple designs little goes according to plan. Liandra's life is threatened. Connal faces the fury of his clan when he takes her with him to his world. The planet, which refuses to confederate with the League of Worlds has been kept obscured to preclude foreign adulteration. Liandra is no more pleased to be with Connal than he appears to enjoy as her captor. Once Liandra realizes where she has been brought Connal decides she must never leave. MacArran's absolute intractability toward contact with other cultures and his intolerance against aliens clouds his reason. He continues to oppose Liandra and when she attempts to escape punishes her then warns others of his clan against her as an alien. At times he is a difficult person to understand. Liandra is from a race that is very aware of their own sensuality. They do ultimately join completely with one man forever. Liandra has never felt any real attraction to a man until she finds herself head to toe with MacArran during their mind dream in their attempt to find Connal's kinsman. The pair is attacked during the dream by alien creatures leaving Liandra unconscious and MacArran facing the notion that it is either take her with him or leave her there to die. He needs her abilities; he takes her with him. Neither wants to admit the growing affinity they feel for the other.

In Crystal Dreams writer Cooper presents an unconventional science fiction type romance filled with an abundance of engaging characters and situations. Nineteenth century Scot-English relationships are present in a well-designed universe. The two principal planets are well developed by writer Cooper. This is not the usual science fiction offering. The romance emerges against a convincing backdrop of dreadful evil and other world detail. As presented in Crystal Dreams Liandra is a supposable personality filled with enough angst to keep her engaging. MacArran and his hardheaded notions become a bit ennui after a time. Even with my Scottish ancestry there were moments that I found myself wanting to `smack him up aside the head' as he continues to oppose Liandra despite awareness that she is not `tainting' his world.

Crystal Dreams is a well written page turner which draws readers right into the account from the opening page and carries them on a roller coaster ride of agitation through the tale and on down to the final paragraph. A nice book for a lazy summer's reading in the hammock. Not for everyone. Those who enjoy romance and/or futuristic science fiction will enjoy the tale.

Reviewed by: molly martin