Desert Dreams [Paperback]

Gracie C. McKeever (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 2001

A centuries-old djinni betrayed; a modern career woman ad wife bereft. Can their love survive an ancient vendetta?

Editorial Reviews

Review

A keeper! -- Very highly recommended -- Cindy Penn, Word Weaving

A wonderful mix of romance, paranormal, and suspense that will have you clamoring for more. -- Tina Wainscott , Author of UNFORGIVABLE

Many twists and turns, nothing was as it seemed! A very good story and well worth your time! -- Detra Fitch, 3-stars - Huntress Book Reviews

About the Author

Gracie is a writer/poet from the Bronx and aside from several side trips along the way has lived and worked her entire life in the New York City area. She has been writing since the ripe old age of seven when two younger brothers were among her earliest, captive audience for various short story readings and performances. But not until 1994 when she earned her first byline, for a short story published in a brand new genre fiction magazine out of Colorado, did she begin to consider her talent seriously and believe she could take her writing to the next level: completing a publishable novel.

Since that first byline, Gracie's short stories, novellas and poetry have gone on to see exposure in various lit and art magazines and other venues--online and in print. Of particular note, heard over the airwaves on KFJC’s morning show, Dancing In The Fast Lane With Ann Arbor (Unbedtime Stories) out of Los Altos Hills, CA ("New Life Incognita" was the story of the month for March 2000.). She's also proud to be a member of the ("Worlds' Oldest Active Homeless Paper") Street News family and has seen numerous articles, poems and novel excerpts published within its pages as well as having had a poetry reading on Pseudo On-line Network (Street News Review).

Born and raised in New York City (originally hailing from Harlem, USA) and now living a hop, skip and a jump away from the celebrated "Bronx Bombers" (Go Yankees!), Gracie owns to being an incontrovertible aunt of several nieces and nephews. However, she does share her space with one baby, of the four-legged furry variety: Misty (The nieces and nephews are in the will, but the cat, to her chagrin, is not .)

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: Novelbooks (November 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931696896
• ISBN-13: 978-1931696890
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,216,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gracie C. McKeever is an author from the Bronx. Aside from several side trips along the way she's lived and worked her entire life in the Big Apple (most of it two train stops away from the House that Ruth built...Go Yanks!)

She has been writing since the ripe old age of seven when two younger brothers were among her earliest, captive audience for various short story readings and performances.

An eclectic and voracious reader whose audience has grown outside of the supportive family members, she's had the great fortune of being able to incorporate two of her favorite passions and talents - reading and writing - as a book reviewer for several online e-zines both as a regular staff member and freelancer.

Her short stories, novellas and poetry have seen exposure in various lit and art magazines and other venues - online and in print. Of particular note, her short story LEAP OF FAITH can be found in Zane's anthology, Caramel Flava 2: Sensuality. Also, heard over the airwaves on KFJC's morning show, Dancing In The Fast Lane With Ann Arbor (Unbedtime Stories) out of Los Altos Hills, CA (NEW LIFE INCOGNITA was the story of the month for March 2000.). She's also proud to be a member of the ("Worlds' Oldest Active Homeless Paper") Street News family and has seen numerous articles, poems and novel excerpts published within its pages as well as having had a poetry reading on Pseudo On-line Network (Street News Review).

In 2001 Gracie caught the erotica bug, sinking her teeth into her first erotica e-book for a review, and hasn't looked back since, an instant affinity for the genre spawning her first erotica title, BENEATH THE SURFACE, published in 2006 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Tales review, September 14, 2002

By 

"tteditor" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Dreams (Paperback)

By TT reviewer Brenda Gill [full review on our website]

Kane is a hybrid Djinni, part human, whose last master betrayed him and helped imprison him in the ewar or bottle. He vows vengeance against the ones who put him in the bottle. He doesn't expect the one who releases him to be a strong, independent woman. Nor does he expect to be wildly attracted to her.

Therese Hunter is the curator of the Islamic Historical Arts Museum. One day she finds a bottle that isn't on any of the property lists of the museum. As she is examining the bottle, it begins to move, and the stopper pops out. She is awestruck when a blue mist comes out of the bottle. The blue mist is joined by a black, evil-looking mist and Therese thinks she sees two figures in the combining mists. Her husband, Jury, a homicide detective, is coming to pick her up from her day's work and hears her cry out. Thinking Therese is in danger, he comes running into the room to help her. Somehow, he trips on the stairs and falls down them. Therese tries to help him and is injured herself. She wakes up in the hospital, only to find out that her husband is dead and she has lost the child she carried. There is no sign of the bottle.

A few weeks later, Therese is surprised to find the bottle in her attic. She watches speechless as the blue mist again seeps out of the bottle. She can't believe her eyes when the mist slowly forms into the best-looking man she's ever seen. The last thing Therese wants is a "genie-man" interfering in her life, and she agrees to help him find the ones who imprisoned him, if he will just leave her alone.

Therese and Kane fight their growing attraction for each other. Therese has just lost her husband, so how can she be falling in love with a man from myths and fairy tales? Kane doesn't understand the feelings of lust and tenderness for a human so unlike any woman he's ever known. But sinister forces are at work, threatening to separate Kane and Therese. Is Kane somehow responsible for Jury's death? Did Therese call Kane to her and, in some way, cause the death of her husband? What secrets is Kane hiding, and who is the powerful demon Djinni who wants to kill both of them.

DESERT DREAMS is an enjoyable book. Most paranormal romance authors write about vampires, shapeshifters, werewolves, ghosts, reincarnation, or time-travel. The Djinni or genie seems to be overlooked. I'm not aware of many stories using a genie as the hero. Ms. McKeever makes up for this in this fast-paced, exciting tale of a vengeance driven man and a willful, independent woman who must overcome cultural differences to be together. The reader can feel the tension and magic between Kane and Therese, as they battle to overcome the obstacles in their path. Be sure to check out this unique, interesting, and magical tale. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, August 31, 2003

By 

Margaret Marr "Published Author" (NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desert Dreams (Paperback)

Looking for something different? Looking for a storyline with a newish twist? Then immerse yourself in a novel by Gracie C. McKeever.

From the moment I picked up DESERT DREAMS, I was drawn into and captivated by the world of Therese Hunter. Whenever reality intruded in on my life, I couldn't wait to get back to see what else would happen in this unique story.

Kane, a centuries old Djinni, is finally released from his prison, which resulted in the death of Therese Hunter's husband. While Therese mourns her loss, Kane burrows himself into her life, enlisting her help in finding the one responsible for his imprisonment.

Kane falls hard for his mawla, but reins in his emotions as Therese tries to sort through her feelings. He wants her to come to him willingly with no doubts or guilt.

Therese is at an emotional crossroad in her life, a thirty-something widow left unable to bare children. Her "genie-man" tries her patients even as he touches her bereft heart.

But they are in far more danger from a powerful demon Djinni named Ifreet with an ancient vendetta against Kane, and it would bring him great pleasure to see Kane suffer before he destroyed him.

Ms. McKeever weaves a fascinating tale, and I can't wait to read more of her exceptional work.

5.0 out of 5 stars a thought provoking read, August 12, 2002

By 

stu (Fresno CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Dreams (Paperback)

I am a long term fan of Ms Mckeever's writings and I wasn't disappointed by Desert Dreams. She never ceases to get me thinking and there are enough twists in this plot to do so. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys their stories weaved through shadows until the very end.