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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dreamless: A Refreshing 5-Star Oasis of Originality,
By
This review is from: Dreamless (Harlequin Superromance No. 1091) (Paperback)
"Dreamless" crackles with the energy of a very talented author's first book. Yet, Darlene Graham is a long established romance writer. Her "No Ordinary Child", about a special needs child, April 2003, demonstrates extraordinary writing skills. It also earned rave reviews. The high energy in "Dreamless" comes from two major creative challenges (which the author masterfully meets). The first challenge happens early in the book when the hero and heroine acknowledge they are in love! Traditionally, this should happen at the end of the book, not the beginning. My immediate thought at reading this early acknowledgement of love was to think: "You can't do this!" Had the story just become a suspense novel with a secondary love interest? I was prepared to stop reading but the plot had opened so many "How will it turn out?" questions, that I just had to keep reading...at least a few more pages. In a normal romance, the love interest is the central focus. "Will the couple get together in the end and how will they do it with all the obstacles that stand in the way?" Often one or both lovers are deeply flawed and afraid to love. They spend a good part of the book trying "not to fall in love"; this creates a lot of tension which keeps the reader's interest. Then towards the end of the book, there is a "black moment" when all seems lost; the relationship will not work. Finally at the climax of the story, from the depths of despair, the lovers resolve their differences and the reader ends the story with a wonderful feeling. An author, who buys into this standard story line, receives "ready-made, plot-provided interest". If an author does not follow this plot line, she has to reinvent the wheel; that is, create her own unique tension. This is a lot of very hard creative work. Fortunately, the author turns the story right back into a romance by totally intertwining the hero and heroine's fate. First, they are adversaries fighting each other in court; then, they both acquire a life-threatening common enemy which they must face as a team. Thus the couple and their relationship stay center-stage the whole time. I like the hero and heroine to be interacting for most of the book (or why read a romance?). Darlene Graham keeps reader interest in the relationship high with countless "how will this turn out" questions. Will the mares safely deliver their colts, who will win which law suit, will the work-hand die, will the ex-wife win joint custody, was anyone killed in the fires, is the father in prison really a good guy, will the ex-wife really overcome her alcoholism, etc. You just have to turn the page to find out. This is providing reader interest the old fashion way: earning it. Overcoming major creative challenges keeps writing fresh. You can feel an excitement flashing between the lines of copy. This kind of writing shows true respect for the reader and stimulates the continued growth of the author's skills. As a fan, it is fun to watch the career of an author who continues to grow with each challenging book Challenge two seems truly insurmountable: write a 32-page seduction/lovemaking sequence! Normal length would be 2 to 4 pages, if that much. It would seem impossible to have a 32-page love sequence and keep the reader's interest. (SuperRomance is not a "hot" format like Blaze or Temptation.) I would have given the author no chance of doing this successfully. Yet, Darlene Graham, did it so well, these 32 pages constitute a mini-course in "how to write". (See pages 167 to 198.) Here's how the author achieves this. First the scene is a true seduction fantasy. I just happen to be reading Barbara DeAngelis's book "What Women Want Men to Know", and this 32-page sequence meets the ideal seduction fantasy as wonderfully spelled out in Barbara's book. Women readers should love this sequence. However, what makes the 32-pages work so well are major plot and character developments. Also, even the outcome of the seduction is uncertain until the very end. You get more story movement and character development in these 32 pages than you'd expect in 60 pages of non-seduction exposition. (This is very skillful writing; don't try it at home.) I see "Dreamless" as a major creative triumph. For the romance fan, it is truly fresh and original. For the aspiring writer, it is a very enjoyable advanced workshop. Darlene Graham gets better with each book. I am really looking forward to her next book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A tender romance and the path to forgiveness,
By
This review is from: Dreamless (Harlequin Superromance No. 1091) (Paperback)
Cassie McClean dreams of building beautiful, quality luxurious homes, but her new housing division seems plagued with disaster, contributed to by her neighbor, Jake Coffey. Road restrictions, restraining orders, threats of court all contribute to her frustration. But when Jake comes up the hill to complain to her in person, Cassie's life is transformed.Horses are Jake's life, and the horrendous construction noise threatens to send value mares into labor much too soon. His and Cassie's peevish telephone skirmishes quickly escalate to all out war. Surprisingly, after meeting they do establish compromises and quickly fall into a dating routine. Unfortunately, vandals strike at both of their properties, endangering their livelihoods and eventually their lives. Author Darlene Gardner pours on the romance while never backing away from the painful events of the past in DREAMLESS. Cassie and Jake begin as enemies who make an immediate connection when tragedy draws them together. Then they do something seldom acknowledged in the romantic genre: they date and truly enjoy their growing relationship: movies, a favorite restaurant, hearts and flowers, oh my! Of course, they also meet with incredible personal challenges that put their beliefs and their love to the test. But once established, their feelings for one another never waiver. Cassie's father and Jake's ex-wife provide important subplots that teach important lesson in love and forgiveness. A beautifully told tale that will hold readers riveted, DREAMLESS comes highly recommended.
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