Customer Reviews

Dream Fever

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Other reviewers have told the storyline so well that I will not re-hash it again.

The locale of this book was very interesting. I don't recall ever reading about New Zealand before. The conflict between the cattle farmers and sheep farmers was different though sometimes hard to follow. Descriptions of the scenery, etc... were detailed and captured my imagination.

As is true of the other Katherine Sutcliffe books I've read up until now, the romance was torturous and emotional. I realize that Nick was so traumatized by his dealings with women in his past that he could not trust anyone, but at times I felt so bad for Summer. She let Nick walk on her time and time again. As the bad times became worse, I began to wonder if anything could go right for her!

The other characters in this book were wonderful to meet. Right from the start you are sucked into their harsh yet beautiful country and lives. The men were rugged, yet had a sense of civility. The women strived to make life better for their husbands and children. You will especially enjoy Frank, the storytelling "ranch" hand of Nick's.

I read this in one day. It captured me right away. But the torment continued up until the end where it is finally resolved in a fairly satisfactory manner. OK, she forgave him one more time! For an enjoyable roller-coaster ride of emotion, it is worth picking up.

They don't get much better than this. A feisty heroine, a brooding emotionally scared hero, and an exotic location.

The story revolves around Mr. Nicholas Winston Saber Esquire (the youngest son of the Earl of Chesterfield) who was exiled to New Zealand after killing another man in a duel over a woman's honor. He spends the next five years in an emotional prison, bitter with the world (women in particular), resentful of his father, and despising himself and everyone around him. He is eking out an existence on an isolated sheep farm, and one night during a bout of drinking, he is tricked into marrying (by proxy) a woman he has never met. His mail-order bride ends up being feisty Summer O'Neile who was forced to flee England to escape the consequences of an act of self-defense.

Summer travel to New Zealand and explodes into Nicholas' solitary world. She shatters the walls he has built up around himself, and also battles the accepted prejudices (farmers/cattleman vs. sheep herders) of a community. Summer falls deeply in love with her brooding, bitter husband (who she learns never really wanted a wife), and the more Nicholas tries to push her away, the more she worms her way into his heart.

If you can find a copy, get it. This is truly a unique love story.

This book gets off to a roaring start and doesn't let up until the finish. It is a charming story of a man (Nicholas) who is intent on denying his growing affections for a feisty, engaging, outspoken young woman (Summer) who won't take no for an answer. Their battle of wits and emotions is both delightful and touching. Do not pass over the poem at the beginning of the book. I am now reading "Renegade Love" and although it is good, it does not move as swiftly as "Dream Fever". Try to find it since it's out of print.

I've read this novel at least ten times. What an amazing romance. I agree with some of the reviews that Nick, the hero, is very dark and brooding, perhaps too dark and brooding. I have to admit that the relationship that grows between he and Summer is difficult to read at times- theirs is a very emotional, very intense love. However, that being said, this novel is extremely rewarding. Sutcliffe does a wonderful job with her characters... Nick changes so dramatically and realistically that it will pull at your very heart strings. He is all together intoxicating, sexy, deep, mesmerizing... his depth of feeling for life and for Summer leaves me breathless. In fact, his difficulty coming to terms with his love for her is based on his tortured soul and his very sanctity in life. Normally, romance novels where the characters have to experience unequal love is awful to read... but in this case somehow it really works. However much Nick pulls away, he also pulls toward Summer. Summer is a delightful heroine- spunky, cute, sassy, funny, innocent and romantic. She never gives up and I love her outlook on life. Together they make a fascinating duo and the chemistry is very rich. I also love the backdrop to this tale... New Zealand, 19th century, is a unique and fairy-tale like setting. The land war adds an exciting element to the otherwise intense tale- giving the novel a well-developed plot and point. It was interesting to see Nick work so hard for what he had acquired... and to see Summer join him in his pursuits. I won't spoil the rich plot by giving away the story- but this is a guaranteed good read with wonderful side characters and delightful true love. This one really transports me to a different time and place. I highly recommend you order a copy!! PS. Of all the romances I have ever read, I must say this is my favorite "ending." It is the most romantic ending I have EVER read!!

I loved this book. At first I hated Nicholas for his stubborness at the beginning of the book and wondered how I could possibly feel sympathetic toward him after his heinous deed. Katherine Sutcliffe changed my mind. I felt so sad for Nicholas, and how bleak his life was. Summer was exactly what he needed. She stood up to him, while loving him and treating him with the kindness a man as tortured as him needed. I loved her carefree attitude and how she didn't allow her own problems to get her down. I wish there were more heroines like Summer. Not selfish or whiny.

Hmm.....where do I even begin?

This book has EVERYTHING that I love in a great romance. A mail-order bride, characters with difficult pasts, a beautiful setting, incredible secondary characers, and most importantly...a truly believable love story.

To quickly summarize....Nicholas Sabre is a woman hater thanks to his mother and his former love interest. He doesn't trust or believe in love. Summer O'Neil is an illegitimate child of an Earl and his mistress. She longs for stability and a family of her own. Summer, through fate, becomes the unwanted mail order bride to Nicholas, a "shephard" in New Zealand.

Here's why I LOVE this book:
1. I love a book that is so hard to put down that you'll sacrifice anything...sleep, food, "whatever" to finish it. This is one of those books.
2. I love a strong heroine. Summer is one of those. Although only eighteen, she shows a determination and maturity well beyond her years and isn't afraid to stand up for what, or who, she wants.
3. I love a tortured hero. Nicholas is definitely one of those. He is so isolated and alone. It takes the love of a great woman to bring this one around.
4. I love a strong cast of characters. This book has plenty of them, From Frank, the pseudo-father figure to both Summer and Nicholas, to Sean O'Connell, the enemy neighbor who cares about Summer, this book is filled with characters that you come to care about.
5. I love a book with humor. Summer is a horrible cook and housekeeper and this quirk has the reader laughing throughout the book.
6. I love a great ending. I won't spoil it, but this book comes "full circle" in such a sweet and powerful way...the ending is truly memorable.

Those are just a few reasons, but the most important reason that this book will go on my keeper shelf is that it is romantic in a "real sense". This relationship is slow to mature. It takes time for Nicholas to learn how to love and trust. It is painful to watch, and he doesn't always treat Summer with kindness, but watching the gradual "thawing" of his heart is heartwarming. I will not forget this book. I will definitely read this one again........and probably again and again.

This is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately I haven't found any of KSs other books that come close to this one. Summer is a delightfully naive, feisty and sad heroine. Nick is a fiery, tragic, and stubborn hero. I am not sure I would have forgiven him for his intitial treatment of her but eventually he comes to love her in a fiercely protective manner. The sub-plot involving the dynamics of the New Zealand settlers was interesting although the resolution was a little far fetched. But all and all a very enjoyable read.

This was the most amazing book I have ever read! I am constantly in search of another book that meets the standards that this book has set. I look forward to many more of Ms. Sutcliffe's works if they are half as good as Dream Fever!

In response to the reader who wondered if she was MISSING SOMETHING". Yes, you certainly must have. Because this was one awesome read. A tortured hero is never likeable in the beginning. The fun part is in watching Nicolas change.
This is one of my very favorite "keepers". I loved it and would recommend it to anyone.

New Zealand is quite an interesting place for romance and I find it very exhilarating and fresh. Being a mail-order bride is not easy but when you have no choice, it's even more difficult. I commend Summer on her strength and tenacity. She's gentle, kind, strong and is fierce. Sabre is a man that is hard to love, but the reader eventually sees the heart inside of him. It's delightful to see how these two eventually comes to terms about their feelings. The ending is quite hilarious too, yet very romantic and charming in its own sense. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a different adventure in romance.