Customer Reviews

Dream Man

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I started reading Dream Man with the intention of only reading the first few chapters. Instead of stopping to get things on my to-do list finished, I left the laundry undone and kept reading.

Nancy Parra has created a heroine with a big heart, an intriguing job and a mystery to solve. She has also given readers a hero that will stop at nothing to solve a puzzle and get the girl. The combination of the two results in a fabulous romance and a fascinating suspense plot that delves into the world of politics, dreams and the dangerous combination the two make. This is a page turning story that every romantic suspense lover should read.

I've enjoyed reading little excerpts from this author, so I thought I'd plunge into one of her books, and I wasn't disappointed. She gives us two very strong willed but likable main characters in sleep specialist Dr. Eva Sanford and FBI Agent Nate Cancaid. Brought together by a sweet little old lady who channels someone else in her dreams, they're hot on the trail of a cold case, trying to solve what happened to politician's wife Camilla Kauffman? You'd think Nate would be skeptical, but he's connected to the case by his own recurring dreams; living out the murder of his "wife" every night. The dreams are so disturbing that Nate has sworn off ever marrying or even dating brunette women like the one from his nightmare. Independent, workaholic Eva has sworn off serious relationships too, but that doesn't stop them from pretending to be lovers in order to work the case together without rousing suspicion. You can guess what happens when the line between pretending and truly caring blurs and fades away, and it's fun to watch them tumble into that tangle of emotions together. Dream Man was a pretty quick read for me, as I didn't want to put it down until I found out what happened to Camilla and our tenacious leads. The mystery is well crafted and believable without descending too much into technical, crime procedural details. Overall, a very entertaining read, with just the right amount of humor and steamy goodness to balance the heavy subject.

This book grabbed my interest and held it to the very last page. Eva and Nate are interesting and compelling characters. Eva is a completely dedicated and competent doctor with an all but nonexistent personal life until she meets Nate, and her fear of marriage continually comes between them. Nate is not only attracted to Eva, he is convinced they are fated to be together, even if it ends in their death. The author reveals their inner problems in a beautiful manner, building tension until the very end. The author gradually reveals mystery that connects both the past and the present in such a manner, including accompanying dangers along the way, that keeps us on the edge of our seat, waiting for the final result. The poignant and heart-wrenching surprise that awaits us at the end is unsuspected until the very last pages.

I loved this book and will anxiously await the next one by this gifted author. - Jaye Leyel

My first real paper book from Wild Rose Press is a fascinating romantic mystery, Dream Man, by Nancy J Parra. The picture on the cover doesn't fit my image of FBI agent Nate Cancaid, but the characters are intriguing and believable, and their dilemma fascinating.

An elderly woman wakes at the same time every night, walking and talking and to all intents and purposes acting like somebody much younger. Meanwhile an FBI agent has suffered recurring dreams since childhood in which he sees his wife die. Strange coincidences bring the agent and the old woman's doctor together, and a penchant for solving mysteries keeps them close.

Both characters have excellent reasons for knowing they'll never fall in love. But fate and love transcend their plans. The story's well-told, the conversations alternately amusing and sincere, the female lead strong and sensible, standing up to family, friends and her own inhibitions, and even the non-leading females prove wiser than they seem. It's a satisfying tale, from a feminine point of view, and speed-reading the bits overpower my own inhibitions just means I skip a few short pages while devouring the rest.

Nancy J Parra clearly has a deft hand with relationships, mystery and devious politics, and I really enjoyed the read.