Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Sandy Cove #1

Out of a Dream

Rate this book
Michelle Baron should be reveling in her new life in Sandy Cove, Oregon. From the outside, it all looks idyllic. A newlywed settling into a quaint coastal town, her husband establishing himself as a junior partner in a law firm-what more could she want? But a series of disturbing nightmares haunts Michelle. Her quest to understand these dreams leads her to the New World bookstore, where she begins a spiritual journey that will challenge her Christian heritage as well as her marriage.

"This engaging novel quickly introduces you to characters that parallel people in our own lives. Shaped by traits that enhance the plausibility of the plot, you could swear that you've met them all before. Out of a Dream resonates with the theme of how people often go looking for love in all the wrong places when seeking spirituality. The beauty here is that although some explore false approaches to knowing God, there is hope for everyone who diligently seeks the truth."

-Irene Dunlap, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Treasure for Kids

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

2267 people are currently reading
2158 people want to read

About the author

Rosemary Hines

21 books135 followers
Rosemary Hines writes contemporary, suspenseful fiction from a Christian worldview. Her characters and their struggles and triumphs reflect life in our 21st century culture in America. Boldly tackling tough subjects such as suicide, abortion, and the ever-increasing efforts of secular society to silence the faith of many, she is known for her sensitive approach and strong messages of hope and redemption. Rosemary taught writing at a secondary level for fifteen years. Her books have been reviewed and recommended at Christian conferences across the United States. Active in her church as a Sunday school teacher and a women's Bible study leader, she and her husband have also served as missionaries in Ukraine, delivering humanitarian relief to orphanages and hospitals. They reside in Southern California where they enjoy spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.
For more information about Rosemary and her books, visit:
http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/7...
www.rosemaryhines.com
https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryHine...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,258 (41%)
4 stars
866 (28%)
3 stars
552 (18%)
2 stars
239 (7%)
1 star
125 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
Profile Image for Rhonda Gayle.
167 reviews8 followers
May 8, 2013
Out of a Dream was a delightful surprise! I was constantly anxious to read further just to see what was coming next. The characters were dealing with many temptations and issues and so I really could not figure out their next move. This book was filled with suspense, love, forgiveness,and depression/suicidal thoughts. I will not reveal the ending or the actions of the characters as that would SPOIL it for you, the reader, but I will say that I was left with a hopeful, joyful feeling when I finished this book! Now I really want to read the other books in this series from this "new-to-me author".....wonderful work, Rosemary! You hooked me from the very first page!
I received a free pdf copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Michelle Morgan.
254 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2013
Out of a Dream by Rosemary Wesley Hines
Michelle newly wed, moves to Sandy Cove, Oregon from California, far from home and friends to embrace a new life with her husband. She finds herself with too much time on her hands and no close friends. Her husband Steve works as a junior partner in a law firm and Michelle is often left alone with her cat Max. She joins a yoga class and makes a few friends. Michelle’s life takes her on a spiritual journey that has her on the wrong track. She is exploring New Age religion. Somehow she gets involved with her teacher Trevor, who would like to be more than just the teacher. Follow Michelle as she goes on her spiritual journey, will she find the truth? This book is sure to take you on a ride through truth seeking, romance, a little mystery and tragedy. The author Rosemary Wesley Hines explores the truths of false religions in an easy to understand manner. She also shows that Christ is the one true God. This book touches on some hard subjects such as the Biblical truths and real temptations we as Christians face daily. She also gave realistic views from the secular world and how easy we believe the lies and deception of false teachings. I suffered guilt reading about the New Age practices but realized the importance of it at the end.
Profile Image for Carol Howell.
Author 3 books6 followers
April 26, 2013
I just finished Out Of A Dream, by Rosemary Hines, and WOW! It was fabulous. I wanted to continue reading to find out what would happen, and I couldn't wait to get back to the book after putting it down. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your faith, your knowledge and your wisdom through the pages of Out Of A Dream. It will absolutely bless everyone who reads it pages.
Profile Image for Melanie Bennett.
Author 2 books32 followers
January 18, 2015
Out of a Dream, the first book in a series by Rosemary Hines, is a wonderfully written book that captures your attention and keeps it throughout the whole book. It is true that it this book touches on subjects that many are not willing to write about, but there are many other topics that it addresses. For example, dreams and the mystery of how or even if they should be interpretative, intercessory prayer, the hand of God and how it is working even when we don’t have a clue what is going on, the power of prayer, trusting God when it if difficult to do so, etc.

Hines has a nice way of unfolding the story in a way that can be easily followed. It compares to getting to know a new friend and how involved that friend’s life is and how it has impacted her as well as those involved in her life.

The plan of salvations is nicely interwoven in this book in a thoughtful way, answering many questions that people seem to have when making such an important eternal decision.

If you know of someone who is struggling with decisions on salvation and the questions that come to heart, this would be a great book to purchase for them. Or if you alone would just like to read a good, heartwarming, encouraging book that can often be hard to find this day and age, I recommend the book Out of a Dream.
Profile Image for Janet Marie Dowell.
98 reviews6 followers
July 16, 2013
This book was different from what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. Michelle was curious about Tarot Cards, Phychics and other spiritual things. Her parents allowed her and her brother to decide on their own how they woud they would live their lives. Her Dad was a "Self made man" and very independent. He thought the only one you could count on was your self. Her mom thought she always had to be in control. Michelle's grandparents were devout Christians who tried to instill their beliefs in her as she grew up. Between her parents and her grandparents, Michelle was confused.Michelle begins to have dreams and she wants to know what they mean.

Michelle married a great guy named Steve who got a job and moved her away from her family and friends.While Steve was at work, Michelle & her friend Monica got involved in some "Spiritual" classes at a local bookstore where they meet a man who had written a book on dreams. His name was Trevor............he was a smooth talker. Michelle gets somewhat involved with him. Trevor is very romantic and attentive with her, but he is over friendly with her for all the wrong reasons.

Meanwhile, Michelle dad gets into serious trouble business-wise and tries to handle the situation himself. To find out how everything turns out, you'll have to read the book! Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Dali Castillo.
669 reviews18 followers
June 10, 2013
For me, a good book is one that captures my attention right off the bat, and Out of a Dream, by Rachel Hines, did just that. The author goes out on a limb by tackling the subject of New Age beliefs, but she handles it well. New Age is something I know very little about, but Rosemary does an excellent job of giving the reader just enough insight to be able to understand it without overdoing it. Along with that, she weaves in God's Word and how a relationship with God differs from New Age, all of which is at the core of the storyline, along with a variety of characters and how their lives are impacted, not just by their beliefs, but by an unexpected occurrence which makes them each turn to "the truth" in order to be able to deal with what happens. And just when you get to the part where you can breathe a sigh of relief, it ends, just at the right moment, leaving you ready and eager to get your hands on the second book of the series.
Profile Image for Cayla.
1,078 reviews36 followers
August 26, 2016
Okay. This is going to sound rather bizarre, but Amazon offered Book 3 of this series ("Into Magnolia") back in February of this year, so I found myself pulled into that one and knew I wanted to read the first book that launched the series. I will warn you that this book touches some pretty deep issues: suicide, business scandal, extramarital affairs, exploration of alternative beliefs, etc. While the writing itself is okay, it's not a keeper for me. Book 3 is still better that Book 1. (Just so you know, that's not a slam towards Ms. Hines. I think it's just a lot for me to take in one book.)

But it is a clean Christian read. And I did enjoy the background story that Ms. Hines provided at the end of the book. I respect her so much more for her experiences and knowledge on the subjects she covered.
Profile Image for Sam “My Cosy Book Nook”.
295 reviews22 followers
April 3, 2021
I have an admission to make right from the start. This review is not going to be a fair one. So if that bothers you, please feel free to ignore the star rating, which is all but meaningless anyway, and stop reading.

If there's anyone left, my main problem is this. I accepted a challenge to read a book by an author with the same name as my best friend. This was one of the first that came up on an Amazon search (and the fact that it was available for free download was a bonus). But I knew it was Christian fiction, written by a dedicated believer. Which meant I also knew that I was not going to agree with all of its conclusions, and that I strongly suspected that it would get 'a bit preachy'. I was right. It did, towards the end in particular.

What I hadn't realised, until I read the author's note, was that the book is based largely on her own experiences. I wish I had known this, because that might have persuaded me to read the book a bit more compassionately. Ultimately, if what Rosemary Hines is doing is sharing her own belief based on what she's been through in her own life, how else can she do that other than by preaching it to some extent? And who am I to criticise her for it?

If you can accept this, or put it to one side, there's a lot in this book to enjoy. The characters are well-drawn, believable and likeable. Issues including loneliness, depression and attempted suicide are sensitively addressed. Through the main character, a twenty-something newlywed called Michelle, the book also deals with some of the competition - for want of a better word - that Christianity faces in modern life, including New Age and supernatural beliefs.

It's thought-provoking. I'll give it that. But I think that in order for you to rarely love this book, you've got to agree, or at least be prepared to agree with how it concludes. My problem though is that - as I suspected before I even started reading the book - I can't quite do that.

And this is where I'm going to start being really, really unfair because what I have to say from now on amounts to criticising the book for sharing its author's beliefs, for no better reason than they differ from my own. But I'm afraid that, for me, the book went a bit too far when two of the main characters started to discuss whether God had let a man try to kill himself in order that He could get through to him. It was at this point that I started to recall my own experience, which caused me to question my beliefs with a slightly different outcome.

I was brought up with the Christian religion through my school years. I never really had any reason to disbelieve it, or feel dissatisfied with it. But when I was in my early 20s, my cousin, who was only a few months older than me was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of mouth cancer - despite never having smoked in her life and controlling her diet and alcohol intake much better than I have managed before or since. And despite fighting it with absolutely everything she had, it proved to be fatal. And I'm sorry, but if God had anything to do with that, then the only explanation that I can accept in my own mind is that He made a dreadful mistake.

I don't reject the idea of God, or of a God. I'm quite prepared to accept that there is a higher being that loves us, and that wants to find a way of helping us when we need it. But I'm afraid I also believe that that same higher being is just as capable of making wrong, or bad decisions as the human life that He created.

I accept that this may be controversial. I also accept that I may be wrong. And perhaps one day, something drastic will happen that will make me change my mind about what I believe. But until that time, a religious novel, whether or not it was disguised as a work of fiction, was never going to manage it.
Profile Image for Mahoghani 23.
1,333 reviews
July 25, 2017
Good Read

The story was an inspiration to show just how people can deceive you about God and especially religion. Michelle was confused about religion and that was because of her parents but the basic teaching she received from her grandparents sustained her and kept her from continuing down the wrong path.
Profile Image for Christine Goodnough.
Author 4 books18 followers
June 12, 2024
Michelle is searching for a deeper meaning in life, wanting to grow and learn. The New Age spirituality she's exploring seems to offer so much. Her husband begins to study the Bible with an old friend and the two belief systems clash. Meanwhile, her father is dealing with a crisis at work that brings anxiety and tragedy for the family.
A poignant story, even more so when I learned that the author experienced many of the things in this book first-hand.
Profile Image for Boundless Book Reviews.
2,242 reviews77 followers
September 20, 2015
So I'm a reader and that being said I have 10 different emails coming to me daily for free E-books. In one of these emails I saw the link for the 2nd book in the Sandy Cove Series. Of course I was interested, I wanted to read book 1 first so I found it and got it.

Honestly, this is a very serious book. It's about a family with a father who is facing hard choices at work and a daughter facing a spiritual unknown and marriage issues. After some serious issues, the family comes together and helps each other both spiritually and mentally.

This book really opened my eyes to all the things we face in a spiritual world. There are so many different religions and beliefs out there that at times it can be hard to know the truth, and what's real. I don't think I know anyone who has all the answers. It's all about a person's perception of what they, personally, believe.

This book deals with suicide. This is a difficult subject and is one that is always bringing up the question of right or wrong. I really think this book had a great message for those both spiritual and those who are not.

By the end I had chills and was in tears. I guess that means this book spoke to me. I'm sure it will speak to others too.

I will definitely be reading book 2 and will be suggesting this book to others. Great read!!!...Stormi

http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com

https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
Profile Image for Jenn Sands.
262 reviews9 followers
March 31, 2015
I received the audio book in exchange for an honest review.
As far as the narrator: initially I didn't like the narrator's style of reading, but as I got engrossed in the storyline I noticed that she ceased to grate on me. Listening to this story was quite a different experience to physically reading the book (I had read the book a long time before I listened to this audio version). I found that I engaged better with the characters and emotions of the story. I found the story to be quite an emotional and spiritual roller coaster and I felt quite anxious with Michelle's meddling in New Age practices.

The story: This was a rather intriguing story where people eventually came to faith but via a range of detours along the way. This would be a good book to read by someone who is concerned about the choices people in their family are making with regards to their spirituality. Yoga, New Age, Tarot cards...all these avenues are explored by the seeker who is looking for spiritual fulfilment...but none of them really fill the void. Out of a Dream shows the power of persistent prayer by the grandparents and a peace which draws the others to them in a crisis situation. God is at work.

I'm looking forward to starting the second book in this series and following this family as they regroup after their crisis.
Profile Image for Beverly Lytle.
115 reviews
June 28, 2013
Out of a Dream grabbed my attention in the first pages. I thought it was excellently written, captivating the audience as you read your way through Michelle’s spiritual journey. Rosemary Hines has a way of making her characters real to you. I found myself wishing I could sit down and have a heart to heart conversation with Michelle, at times forgetting she was a fictional character.
Michelle very innocently begins a quest to make some new friends after relocating with her husband to Oregon. A local yoga class seems to be just the answer when Monica befriends her. Relaxation and friendships soon lead Michelle deeper into New Age practices. Searching for an answer to her horrifying dreams, Michelle finds herself looking for answers in all the wrong places. Can a husband on a spiritual journey of his own, praying grandparents, and a crisis in her family bring Michelle back to a place of contentment? Or will tarots, dreams, interpretations, and meditations lead her farther into a New Age lifestyle?
Emotion, romance, suspense and solid biblical principles all molded together to keep me turning the pages to the end. I can’t wait to read Through the Tears and Into Magnolia!
Profile Image for Wendy H..
Author 46 books66 followers
August 4, 2013
Michelle is a young married woman living in a picture postcard town in America. However, all is not well in her world. She is having a series of disturbing dreams and she is in a frantic search to find out what they mean. In her spiritual quest she turns to new age thinking and tarot to help her solve the mystery ad free her from the horror of her dreams. However, God has his hand on Michelle and will not let go. This is essentially a book of good versus evil as old as time itself. However, Rosemary Hines has created a real page turner. The characters are superbly crafted and painfully real. Hines shows a real insight into the human psyche. This is not a long book but Hines has used every word carefully to ensure that every page is packed with interest and intrigue. I loved this book. It is the first in a series and I am looking forward to reading the next one already. I would highly recommend.

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes. I was asked to provide an honest review which I have done based on my reading of this book. The review is a fair representation of my feelings towards the book.
64 reviews
February 15, 2017
Slight spoilers, but no real detail...

Good Christian book, but I started to feel uncomfortable in the beginning of the book when it almost seemed to push mysticism. I understand the main character was in the midst of a battle between her family's faith and her new friend's spiritual leanings, but the descriptions were all too real.

As for the story itself, it was a shallow plot. Young couple moves away to new town, wife Michelle is bored and gets involved with a group of spiritualists and try to lead her down the wrong path. One of them is a handsome man who confuses her sexually and emotionally. Something happens to her father and she has to make a decision. It never really gets exciting except in one or two places.

Then in the notes at the end of the book, we find that Michelle's journey is based off the author's real life experiences. That helped make the book more interesting and explained why the details of the spiritualists' beliefs were so authentic. I wish I had known that before reading the story.

I'm thankful to God that He was able to get through to Ms. Hines and that she is now on a Godly path.
Profile Image for Mal.
50 reviews
July 26, 2013
Out of a Dream is a really good book and most definitely worth the read!!! Mrs. Hines writes a story that sheds light on the New Age movement and how it can easily seem appealing to those outside of the Christian faith who are searching. I don't want to give anything away, but I do want to say that she speaks truth and shares the Gospel so beautifully. At times, you may want to go into the book and slap some sense into a character or two, yet, you can also relate to some of what they are going through! Great job on a great book, Mrs. Hines!!! I am super excited and can't wait to get the other two books in this series!!! Once you read this book, you'll definitely be hooked!!!

Yes, I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. That being said, I was NOT required to write or post a positive review. All opinions that I have written, spoken, typed, or expressed are ALL my own. Thank you :)
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,529 reviews15 followers
May 25, 2017
I would give this book 1 star, but I reserve 1-stars for books I don't finish at all and technically I finished this book by skimming. As a Christian, I understand the importance of turning to Jesus - I really do. But I don't need to read a whole book whose sole purpose is to convert non-Christians. And the way the author went about doing it is so boring and going on and on, it made it hard for me to even read (hence the skimming). I almost didn't finish this book because it was so boring and had no point other than to convert non-Christians. If you're looking for that type of book, you have found it here. If you're looking for some FUN Christian reads, I highly recommend the L.N. Cronk series - her books have a fabulous story and still interweave the Truth without beating it to death. Tessa Afshar does the same books. And if you liked this book, you will LOVE both of these other two authors.
Profile Image for Rhonda  (Ritty) .
15 reviews14 followers
May 24, 2013
Great read - Highly recommended! The writing style flowed seamlessly, which made for a quick and enjoyable read. It was packed with wonderful life lessons and an intriguing story-line that kept me on my toes, wondering what might happen next. I was moved on a deep level by the very believable characters and their real-life struggles, which I could easily relate to.

And, the sure sign of a good book? I found myself reacting out loud, highlighting often, and taking notes! Not only that, there were moments where particular sections brought conviction to my spirit on ways that I could improve in my own relationship with God.

This is definitely a book that I will want to go back and read regularly. I highly recommend this book and am very anxious to begin reading the next one in the series entitled, Through the Tears. And trust me, you will too!
Profile Image for Tonja Saylor.
29 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2013
Michelle Baron is a young wife in a new community with few friends and a husband who spends more time at work than at home. Raised in a home with parent’s who didn’t want to choose a religion for her, and now with too much free time on her hands she begins a yoga class which introduces her to New Age religion. A major family crisis pits her new beliefs against the beliefs her grandfather taught her from the Bible as a young girl. Will she embrace the New Age philosophy or turn to the Good Shepherd?

This books was wonderfully written and flowed seamlessly. The characters had depth and the struggles they faced were so believable. At times I found myself talking, and even arguing, with Michelle. I laughed and I cried. This was a great read!
3 reviews
September 19, 2017
God inspired series

This is truly the most inspirational series I have read so far, and
I am. an avid reader! You do a wonderful job telling the stories.
One of the things I love about all you're books is the amount of wisdom, feeling, and truly giving we the readers something to
really think about and internalize your teaching and knowledge!
The reader is drawn to each of the characters and u keep us sainting for more. There are so many things that ring true to me personally and my pathway to be a better. Christian. Thank you
for sharing your experiences and offering scripture to support many of the incidents that happen along the way throughout these beautifully written books. God bless you and hope to have many more to read in the future. Beverly
Profile Image for DJ.
Author 1 book34 followers
April 8, 2015

From the first sentence, Out of a Dream held my attention!

Rosemary Hines shows how easily it is to get involved in New Age beliefs and how quickly it can take root in your life. As Michelle searches for help and answers, she is tempted on many levels. I was blessed by how God uses her family and friends to reach out to her with His love.

Rosemary's characters are very true-to-life and the story totally believable - I found myself caught up in the story, as if it were real!

I was given the opportunity to hear an audible of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review. I am so glad I had this opportunity... this novel will bless everyone who reads it.
Profile Image for Stacey.
80 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2016

This book is a great read for people of all walks of life. I loved the message of God hope and love, but I believe there is also a valuable message in this novel for people who are still seeking answers and not ready to accept God's gift. This book deals with the difficult issue of the occult and all the fascination that lures the lost into its dark world. Rosemary handled it brilliantly while weaving a book of characters that are unforgettable. I look forward to reading book 2!
Profile Image for Joyce Glass.
6 reviews14 followers
April 5, 2013
I had a hard time putting it down! I had to find out what Michelle was going to do next.

Rosemary does an excellent job of making a Christian Romance full of suspense.

I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
102 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2013
it was a touching story dealing with serious issues. Michelles seeking for that peace that passes all understanding was a long journey but how she comes to it is very touching. looking forward to book 2
Profile Image for Diana Montgomery.
844 reviews8 followers
June 15, 2013
Book was great couldn't put it down. Kept my attention from the beginning. I was glad to see people getting saved in this book. I was sure hoping she wasn't gonna get messed up in the false religion and another man. Leaves you wanting book 2.
Profile Image for J.C. Morrows.
Author 29 books186 followers
June 24, 2013
Rosemary Hines has written a great trilogy! In the first novel, OUT OF A DREAM, she pulls the reader into the characters lives. We need more stories like this today - heartwarming, decent, with good overcoming evil. Everyone who loves a real love story should read this trilogy!
3 reviews
July 9, 2014
Not for most readers

this book is a story written by someone who wanted to push their agenda on the reader. it was somewhat entertaining until the "proof" of the author's beliefs became the plot. I admit I was not interested enough to finish the book.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1 review
June 19, 2013
I really enjoyed this novel. Rosemary Hines has created characters that are so relatable and easy to identify with. I look forward to following Michelle on the rest of her journey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.