Customer Reviews

Sweet Dreams

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

LIGHT SPOILERS- I don't say anything that you don't get from the product description, but be warned anyway. It's hard to explain what I hated about this book without specific references to what DIDN'T happen. No plot summaries. Recommendations included.

HIGH LEVEL: Disappointing book 2 of the Halle Pumas paranormal romance series that starts with The Wallflower: A Hunting Love story, Halle Puma Series Book 1.. You HAVE to read book 1 first as this one starts during the climax of that book. While I am a fan of Ms. Bell's work, I have to tell you I am REALLY disappointed with this book. Book 1 was overly simplistic, but I could forgive that because it was book 1- this book was a step backwards entirely. I'm not even sure why this story got to be its own book. It could have been just an additional chapter or two in book 1.

CHARACTERS: It is possible for characters to be UN-DEVELOPED? Simon and Becky are both great characters- but they were developed more in Book 1 than in this book ABOUT THEM. In fact, many of their mannerisms from book 1 disappeared and they became just cardboard cut-outs of what any couple in any shifter romance story could be. The tension between them evaporated- they were dancing around each other before, afraid and uncertain. Simon was artistic and a ladies' man and Becky was the shy, well-grounded partner in her store, but none of those characteristics were apparent in this story. They actually LOST their personality.

PLOT: There was even LESS plot here than the product description implies. This was basically a continuation of book 1. There was no additional storyline. No additional conflict. No new bad guys. No new obstacles. It looked like Becky might have a long road to recovery after the attack- she needed to heal and to come to terms with what happened and finding out about the pumas... and that was all resolved in a couple paragraphs. Becky wasn't mad. She wasn't scared. She wasn't even badly injured. She didn't resist Simon. She didn't play hard to get. Simon didn't have to woo her or apologize. Simon supposedly had been a ladies' man- but even THAT didn't become an issue. No confrontation with Belinda or other exes. No discussion around why they never dated or expressed interest in each other sooner... NOTHING!!! More happened between these two in book 1 than here. It takes exactly one minute for Becky to just accept the existence of werecats, the fact that she's Simon's mate, and the fact that she has been turned into one.

Like Max with Emma, Simon changed Becky into a puma without warning and without asking permission. She didn't complain- not ONE word of protest. She wasn't concerned about what it might mean for her life. She wasn't even surprised. Seriously, that's just absurd. If for no other reason than it could have offered something more substantial for the story!!!

There was a very bizarre plot element of having Becky able to tell when the phone was going to ring before it did. What on earth was that about? It was cute, but didn't come to anything.

BOTTOM LINE: This book was infuriatingly dull. I would tell you not to bother reading it, except I expect you probably need to if you want to bother with the rest of the series. I'm not really sure I do at this point. Ms. Bell's The Grey Court series is MUCH better than this one- at least it has a plot.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Vivian Arend's Wolf Signs: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1 fun, light were-romance series
2. Vivian Arend's Tidal Wave: Forces of Nature, Book 1- with frolicking dolphins
3. Dana Marie Bell's Dare to Believe (The Gray Court) - sexy, humorous para-romance with all manner of fae: Sidhe, dragons, leprechauns, vampires and more
4. Kresley Cole's slightly more adventurous and intricate magical romance series (never mind the ridiculous title): A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)
5. Jacquelyn Frank's Jacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1) - demons, were, vamps and other fae finding their better halves in races that should be the enemy
6. Marie Harte's Rachel's Totem - lighter, less developed para-erotica featuring a variety of shifters in a quirky little town
7. Moira Rogers' basic werewolf romance series: Cry Sanctuary: Book 1 of Red Rock Pass series
8. Moira Rogers' magically diverse romance series Crux: Southern Arcana, Book 1
9. Nalini Singh's Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1) - romance series which features weres and psychics, but also carries plotlines with some substance
10. Sydney Somers' gargoyle spin on romance: Primal Hunger: Pendragon Gargoyles, Book 1
11. Christine Warren's somewhat inconsistent, but often awesome series Wolf at the Door (The Others, Book 1) - skip the one about werecats, it had a weak female lead

Rebecca `Becky' Yaeger's plans for the evening did not include being attacked by a psycho who sprouts claws and fangs. It was supposed to be a fun filled evening with friends at a masquerade party but instead she's fighting for her life and all of a sudden her life is irreversibly changed. She certainly never suspected that her friends and Simon, the man she loves, have the ability to shift into Pumas. Sure she wants Simon but eating cat chow and using a litter box holds absolutely no appeal so what's a girl to do?

Simon already suspected that Becky is his mate before the attack but he hadn't claimed her or even let on that he had any intentions toward her. His mate's life being threatened brings out all his protective instincts and he certainly isn't about to listen to Becky's arguments against their mating. It's a done deal as far as he's concerned. Before he can satisfy his inner animal and mate Becky though he has to take care of her injuries and even then she argues with him. It's when she tells him `bite me' that he sees the perfect opportunity to get exactly what he wants - to claim her. There's no denying that they're mated after he's marked her as his!

Livia's attack on Becky was completely unprovoked and makes absolutely no sense to her - all she knows is that Livia has suddenly sprouted claws and fangs and is intent on killing her. It isn't until Becky's best friend Emma arrives that the pieces begin to fit together. Livia's envious of Emma's status within the pride and believes that if she can acquire the Curana's ring then she'll be queen instead of Emma. That's not how things work though and `Senora Psychopath' is in for a rude awakening because Max, Emma and Simon aren't about to let her get away with what she's done. Livia's sentenced to life as an outcast and Simon carries Becky off as his new mate. If Simon thinks he's simply going to claim her and they'll live happily ever after then he'd better think again. Sure Becky loves him but she's stubbornly refusing to say the words, her change is taking longer than it should, and she's suddenly ailing and the doctor's diagnosis isn't fully explaining the odd symptoms.

Dana Marie Bell writes this story with such humor and drama that I was quickly caught up in the romance between Becky and Simon and was unable to put this book down. SWEET DREAMS is the second book in the HALLE PUMA series and flows beautifully from the first book WALLFLOWER. Becky's feisty comments and loving nature really kept me chuckling and Simon seems to get a real kick out of her snappy comebacks. I loved getting to know all of the characters in this story and they each quickly began to feel like treasured friends that I'll be happy to revisit many times in the future.

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more Dana Marie Bell's books in the future. This story was fun, whimsical and wholly satisfying. I'd definitely recommend picking up the other books in the HALLE PUMA series as well. WALLFLOWER, SWEET DREAMS and CAT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR are all wonderful stories that truly capture the imagination.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Rebecca Yaeger's world turns upside down when she learns her friend's secret after an attack by a jealous woman bent on revenge.

Simon swoops in to take care of Becky after her attack when he realizes she is his mate. He wants to mark her as his and has to control himself while Becky comes to terms with the changes that are happening so fast.

As the two work through their problems, Becky is struck with an illness that threatens her happiness.

Can Simon and Becky figure out what is happening before it is too late?

Sweet Dreams picks up right where The Wallflower leaves off and I love it! Dana Marie Bell did not disappoint in this sequel. Sweet Dreams is just as hot, sexy, and funny as The Wallflower.

Becky is funny and plays dirty, making her my kind of girl. Simon wastes no time once he knows Becky was his. I do wish Ms. Bell would have explored how Becky knew about the ringing because I would have been interested to see more and have an explanation as to why it was happening. It was a cute way to break the tension and caused for me to laugh, so it works out in the end.

I am Joyfully Recommending Sweet Dreams because it made me laugh and kept me on my toes. I can't wait for book three.

Jambrea
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

"Oh yeah, come to the party," Emma had said. "Simon will be there and he wants you," she said. When did that transform into getting torn to shreds by an evil bitch? Becky isn't about to let Livia get a piece of her without giving something back, but those sure are some strange sounds coming out of that woman. Finding out that your best friend, your best friend's new boyfriend, and the man you have been lusting after are other than human is a bit of a shocker, but Becky is no weak-willed lady Plus, she has to decide the fate of the bitch that had attacked her.

When Simon finally gets Becky secured in his home, the Puma in him purrs. If he had any doubts at all about her being his mate, they had been erased at the scent of her blood and the sight of Livia crouched over her in the Friedelinde's garden. It was a good thing Becky had not even jokingly mentioned killing Livia as Livia's punishment for attacking her, because Simon would not have hesitated killing Livia for spilling his mate's blood. In fact, it had only been the fear in Becky's face, fear of him, that had stopped him from doing that anyway. He would have to work on that fear.

We got a taste of the Simon/Becky romance in "The Wallflower", the story that introduced the Halle Pumas, but now they are back with a vengeance to resume their story in Sweet Dreams. Becky is as sassy as ever and Simon is sweet, strong, and sexy with a healthy dosing of protectiveness and possessiveness from both the man and the Puma. Seriously, what woman wouldn't love the guy? Though I have to say I'm rather glad Becky doesn't just fall all over him because this story is a great deal funnier for it. If I had one problem with this story it was that it was too darn short and that I didn't want it to end, but if that isn't the best recommendation I can give for a story, I just don't know what is.

This picks up exactly where the first one left off, in fact repeating the last page or so but from Becky's perspective. I especially love the author's sense of humor, and the fun-loving way the characters interact. It kinda takes me back to my college days, when we were all up in each others business, and giving each other hell over every little thing. Just fun!

I love the Halle Pumas series but I really think this installment was my least favorite. You need to read it because it is a continuation and you get to see how Becky and Simon.

I will also say that the girls all take being Pumas in more stride then I would. I mean really.

I've read the entire series now--which is why this book has a 4 Star. I reserve 5 stars for the "best books I've ever read". While it is a 4 star review, it by no means should give the reader the idea that it wasn't a really entertaining read.

I love Simon and Becky. I would have liked it if the love scenes in the series weren't so very similar, though. It was a hot, steamy read for sure.

As I said, I got the entire series--after reading the first book--which should tell you that it was a worthwhile reading experience.

As with other reviews, there is no need for me to tell the story--it's been done elsewhere.

One question: HOW does Becky always know the phone is ringing? It was an interesting twist--that I wish had been played out and explained--or somehow worked into the plot. -- Part of the reason I gave this book 4 stars as well, to be honest, rather than 5. I dislike unanswered questions!

I liked the first book in the Halle Puma series so I was looking foward to reading this one. It was perfectly enjoyable. Nice and sexy but it seemed like it was trying a little too hard for laughs. My main gripe? Why must all the male leads in romance books have long hair? I can't be the only one who doesn't find long hair sexy at all. It's not the eighties anymore. Give me a nice closely cropped hairdo anyday.

After the ridiculous set up in the first book I really wasn't expecting much. The book has its funny points but at some point in the series you as the reader need to go "WTF?" The characters are ridiculous and rather childish. Their acceptance is done in such a way you cannot fathom it. The conflict adds nothing other then that the characters are weak yet are attempting to be strong in just a ridiculous way.

I just could not see this series continuing and yet it does and is one disappointment after another.

It has its humorous parts which were in fact very entertaining but they just didn't happen enough to rank higher then 3 stars. The author has a great potential but falls short in this series.

I have read all the Halle Puma books, this is a new author for me. But I really find them great fun with lots of humor thrown in. Lots of Laughs and erotic heat. You go girl - waiting for more so get on that computer.