Dream a Little Dream [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 1998

A Desperate Young Mother

Rachel Stone's bad luck has taken a turn for the worse. With an empty wallet, a car's that's spilling smoke, and a five-year-old son to support, she's come home to a town that hates her. But this determined young widow with a scandalous past has learned how to be a fighter. And she'll do anything to keep her child safe—even take on. . .

A man With No Heart

Gabe Bonner wants to be left alone, especially by the beautiful outcast who's invaded his property. She has a ton of attitude, a talent for trouble, and a child who brings back bad memories. Yet Rachel's feisty spirit might just be heaven-sent to save a tough, stubborn man.

Dare To Dream

Welcome to Salvation, North Carolina—where a man who's forgotten what tenderness means meets a woman with nothing to lose. here two endearing lovers will set off on a funny, touching journey of the heart. . .to a place where dreams just might come true.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Setting her story in Salvation, N.C., Phillips adeptly develops the theme of love's healing power. Broke and desperate to provide a better life for her son, gutsy Rachel Stone ends up in Salvation when her car breaks down. She knows the place?even worse, they know her as the widow of G. Dwayne Snopes, a televangelist who fled stealing millions. Luckily, Gabe Bonner, who owns a drive-in theater where Rachel asks for work, seems to be the only person who doesn't recognize her right off. Rachel's proud mettle distracts Gabe from the grief of his own tragic loss, but enemies strike out at Rachel, while Gabe's brothers mount a family defense against the gold-digging widow. Phillips (Heaven, Texas) digs deep to expose weaknesses and strengths in the psyche and faith of her characters. The result is a book that is touching, funny, sexy and humane.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A warm and humorous story." -- Los Angeles Times

"No one tops Susan Elizabeth Phillips." -- Jayne Ann Krentz

"What The World Needs Is More Books By Susan Elizabeth Phillips." -- Elizabeth Lowell

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Avon; First Edition edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380794470
• ISBN-13: 978-0380794478
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS is a New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, whose books are published all over the world.

If you'd like to know more, including info on her newest book, whether any of her books will be made into movies, how to get an autographed book, where she gets her ideas, please visit her web site. You can also see goofy vacation photos. register for her monthly contest, and chat with her on her Message Board. http://www.susanelizabethphillips.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SEP at her best! June 24, 2001

By mirope VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of the best writers of contemporary romance as is amply proven by "Dream a Little Dream" . This is the story of Rachel Stone, the widow of a TV evangelist whose greed and hypocrisy continue to haunt their former home, Salvation, North Carolina. Rachel and her son Edward are truly destitute, and she returns to Salvation in search of some of her husband's ill-gotten gains. In order to conduct her search, she must outwit the current occupant of her former home, the widower Gabe Bonner. Gabe is still in such deep mourning for his lost wife and son, that he has completely closed down emotionally. Circumstances bring Rachel and Gabe together, and much to their mutual surprise, their initial antipathy and wariness begins to awaken emotional feelings neither anticipated. Their sparing matches are hysterical and Phillips does a wonderful job building the sexual tension between the two.

This is actually a two-for-one romance. In addition to Rachel and Gabe's story, the book includes the romance of Gabe's brother Ethan and his secretary Kristy. Ethan is a reformed sinner who became a pastor, the kind that sharply contrasts with Rachel's flamboyant dead husband. Kristy has been a part of his life forever and clearly always had a crush on Ethan. When Rachel comes to town, she inspires Kristy to make some changes in her life which completely throw Ethan's world into a tailspin,

This novel has a unique plot, wonderfully developed characters, and extremely amusing dialouge. Even if you aren't a fan of contemporary romance, this is such a sweet and funny novel that you are bound to enjoy it.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Keep a hankie handy August 8, 2005

By Tracy Vest TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Gabe Bonner lost his family in a car accident 2 years earlier, and has been a shell of his former self. Rachel Stone is the widow of a greedy Salvation, North Carolina televangelist who absconded with most of the town's hard earned savings 3 years earlier, blaming his fall from grace on Rachel.

When her car breaks down in of all places, Salvation, a now destitute Rachel seeks employment from Gabe, the only person in town who does not know about her past. Soon it catches up to her and Gabe very reluctantly takes her under his wing, since she is the first woman he has felt a stirring for since his wife died.

With the town and Gabe's preacher brother Ethan against Rachel and her young son Edward (who likes to be called Chip), Rachel searches her former mansion (now Gabe's) for the missing money, only to be thwarted by Gabe. Soon, the two are in each other's arms acting on the chemistry that has been between them all along, much to both Gabe's brother's consternation. But Rachel cannot see herself with him long-term as he keeps Edward at arm's length, to the point that Edward fears him.

There is also a secondary romance involving Ethan and his secretary Kristy who has had the hots for Ethan for ages, and solicits Rachel's help in getting him to notice her. And boy does he.

This is the fourth of the Chicago Stars/Bonner Brothers stories. It is one of the best. The scenes between Gabe and Edward will keep you misty. He is a broken man that cannot seem to accept another young boy in his life, especially one he perceives as being as weak. Be sure to read "Nobody's Baby But Mine" to get background on the Bonner family clan.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite contemporary I read in 1999! January 1, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book absolutly had me hooked! I almost finished it in one day, but once again that sleep thing got in the way.

Three years after leaving Salvation, NC after her televangalist husband is killed and found to have stolen money from the congregation, Rachel Stone is back to try to find the five million dollars that he stashed away. Unfortunately, things don't go well for Rachel. She has nine dollars in her pocket, a car that just broke down (which has also been her home for the past week), a five year old son and has to deal with Gabriel Bonner.

Two years after Gabe's wife Cherry and their five year old son Jamie was killed by a drunk driver, Gabe is still greiving. He's a very unhappy man, especially when Rachel Stone shows up with her kid and wants a job. Reluctantly he gives her a job and the two eventually fall in love, although they wouldn't dare admit it.

Since Rachel's husband swindled the town out of millions of dollars the entire town of Salvation, NC hates her. She can't go down the street without names being called or having her tires slashed. Gabe is time and again coming to her rescue.

Something that I both liked and disliked about this book was Ethan and Kristy's relationship. I really found I enjoyed their story, but they should have had their own book. That is my only complaint.

Overall, excellent read, highly recommended.