Customer Reviews

Only in My Dreams

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Only In My Dreams" kept me on the edge of my seat. I could not put the book down. I was consumed with curiosity throughout the novel. Bravo to Rhonda Empson for a unique approach to life in the 12th Century. I felt as if I was in the midst of the action and was riveted until the very last page. I recommend it to all readers with a sense of compassion.

My favorite genre in romance is time travel. I've just about read every one of them out there. This book was very dichotomous for me. On one hand, I loved the characters Lea and Beyar -- they both had such great qualities in their personalities, and I enjoyed seeing how they would get together. The general storyline was solid -- a girl is thrown back to the 12th century and must adapt to the cultural mores and to Lord Beyar. I liked it enough to read the entire book, because I was curious to see how it would end. Overall, it had the makings of a 5-star book!

The other side to this dichotomous book is where it earns the low amount of stars. There were spelling and grammatical errors galore! While reading this story, I grew frustrated that the author did not take more care in editing her work, or have a strong editor to review her work. Some of the spelling errors were just awful! Grammatically, if one is an award-winning author, one should be versed enough to know how commas are used, when words should be capitalized, and know that it is "just her and me" and not "just she and I." The FIRST PAGE of the story had two spelling errors, which tipped me off that I might be starting a potential disappointment. Granted, this might be Empson's first major novel, but that is why more care should have been placed on this potentional masterpiece.

Another flaw to the book -- minus the grammar and spelling -- was the lack of curiosity from Lord Beyar about Lea's past. If he were developing such strong feelings for her throughout the book, one would think he would want to know why she spoke differently, why she used slang and did not know any of the standard social customs of the 12th century. As a landowning lord of the 12th century, these men were very protective of their lands and their servants, so it came as quite a surprise that he never seemed to question where she came from (other than the pond where he found her). Furthermore, when Lord Richard disappeared at the end of the story, Beyar just blindly accepted that Lea was from 800 years in the future (no questioning whether she was sane or not) and that Richard was safe. Don't worry, there is a sequel to this book, so I'm not giving anything away.

The interaction between Beyar and Lea at the beginning of the book was just downright tacky. Lea sounded like she was using all of her one-liner insults on Beyar, as if she were a comedian on Comedy Central. After a while the barbs became boring, due to the constant "machine gun fire" of put-downs coming from Lea. Beyar did not really do anything to merit such insults. Instead of Lea being insulting and sarcastic to her rescuer, she should have been more confused, unsure of where she was, and a little scared that she was in a new place with a man who has a big horse and a sharp sword.

There were some great moments in this story! That is why it is so hard to give this book less stars than I would like. However, as a versed reader in time travel romances, I cannot help but be frustrated that Empson did not take more care in her book to ensure that it was a top-quality product before releasing it.

It is 1141 when Lord Bayard is surprised to find a drowning woman in a pond. Lea, who entered the pool in the twentieth century is just as surprised to realize Bayard is a knight, horse, sword, medieval dress and all. Thus begin the misguided adventures for modern Lea and medieval Bayard. She meets Richard of the lovely smile, Sara who causes her much jealousy, Logan who claims to be Bayard's father.

Captured by the lecherous Logan; Lea is held in a dark, dreary old farmhouse, guarded by thugs and determines to escape. Fearing that Bayard is dead Lea manages to kill Logan, escape the hovel where she has been held and make her way back to the pond where she entered this world. Returning to modern times and her former job as a secretary holds little appeal, however, without Bayard Lea figures life in this world is as bleak. A raging whirlpool is the conduit between the two worlds. Richard and Bayard leap into the water in an effort to rescue Lea. One of them returns to modern times, while the other two remain in an earlier day.

I like this type of `from here to there and back again tale'.

In Only In My Dreams Writer Empson has produced an estimable tale filled with dynamic characters, sure fire attention grabbing dialogue, setting and intrigue. The notion that we might be able to move from time to time, space to space is an intriguing one. Some writers are able to pull it off more convincingly than others. Writer Empson's Only In My Dreams is a dandy read.

Only In My Dreams is a pleasantly puzzling account at times filled with Lea and her modernistic slang, profanity and reasoning resonating off of Bayard and his medieval methodology, palaver and thinking. The premise might have proven difficult to carry off. Writer Empson pulls it all together with aplomb. Logan is a dastardly fellow, Lea a likeable gal who learns to make the most of situations and Bayard a hero of the old type.

All together the book is a fun, entertaining romp to be enjoyed on a lazy afternoon.

Reviewed by: molly martin

Lea Raines makes a wish never realizing that sometimes they do come true...
But her knight was nothing like she had imagined.
Lord Bayard is a knight during the realm of King Stephan. Lea sees through his tough demeanor for she knows he has the heart of a true knight-loyal and honor bound to protect those who depend on him. Lea knows that Bayard is her destiny. But she never realized how difficult it was going to be convincing her knight-minus-chivalric-qualilties that she is his destiny.

Great Book!! Fast paced. Lots of laughs! Lord Bayard and Lea Raines are truely unforgettabable characters.

Cindy Baker

'Serendipity'

'An ill-fated couple defies the odds when they come face to face with the
pain and fear of losing each other in Only in My Dreams. Author Rhonda
Empson blurs the line between fantasy and reality as she describes the
complex love affair of a forlorn woman from contemporary times and a valiant
knight from the 12th century.
Lea Raines has lived a lonely life. At 21 years of age, she has been
through her share of broken promises and empty dreams. Notwithstanding a
cynical attitude, Lea found herself making a wish she did not expect would
come true. She didn't contemplate on being suddenly stuck in a pond while a
strange man garbed in magnificent attire watches.
Bayard, Lord of Castle Rainere, fishes her out of the water anyway, when all
he wanted to do was go home to his new castle and resume his duties as
master of a vast manor. However, meeting Lea turns his plans awry. Together,
they are a mismatched pair. He sees Lea as irritating and opinionated. She
sees Lord Bayard as harsh and indifferent. Even so, Bayard finds himself
attracted to this foul-mouthed woman more than any other woman he had ever
known. When Bayard and Lea finally come together in a night of passion,
Bayard realizes that he will do whatever is necessary to protect this woman
and keep her at his side. To Lea, their union brings fleeting images of a
woman she does not recognize. She somehow manages to learn the circumstances
of her past and vows to not let history repeat itself.
Only in My Dreams is a novel filled with romance and adventure. Empson has
created a fantastic melodrama portraying the courage and effrontery of a
woman determined to avoid all that has destroyed her once before. She hopes
to fulfill a destiny together with the man she holds dear.'

Cindy Baker

'Serendipity'

'An ill-fated couple defies the odds when they come face to face with the
pain and fear of losing each other in Only in My Dreams. Author Rhonda
Empson blurs the line between fantasy and reality as she describes the
complex love affair of a forlorn woman from contemporary times and a valiant
knight from the 12th century.
Lea Raines has lived a lonely life. At 21 years of age, she has been
through her share of broken promises and empty dreams. Notwithstanding a
cynical attitude, Lea found herself making a wish she did not expect would
come true. She didn't contemplate on being suddenly stuck in a pond while a
strange man garbed in magnificent attire watches.
Bayard, Lord of Castle Rainere, fishes her out of the water anyway, when all
he wanted to do was go home to his new castle and resume his duties as
master of a vast manor. However, meeting Lea turns his plans awry. Together,
they are a mismatched pair. He sees Lea as irritating and opinionated. She
sees Lord Bayard as harsh and indifferent. Even so, Bayard finds himself
attracted to this foul-mouthed woman more than any other woman he had ever
known. When Bayard and Lea finally come together in a night of passion,
Bayard realizes that he will do whatever is necessary to protect this woman
and keep her at his side. To Lea, their union brings fleeting images of a
woman she does not recognize. She somehow manages to learn the circumstances
of her past and vows to not let history repeat itself.
Only in My Dreams is a novel filled with romance and adventure. Empson has
created a fantastic melodrama portraying the courage and effrontery of a
woman determined to avoid all that has destroyed her once before. She hopes
to fulfill a destiny together with the man she holds dear.'

When I saw how long this book is (640pg) I didn't know if I would finish it, but I had it read in two days! I couldn't put it down. The print is large which made it very easy to read and the story kept my attention throughout-I highly recommend this book! A wonderful, and unique, fast-paced story. Full of adventure, love and humor!!!