Stolen Dreams

Cassie Scot #4

by Christine Amsden

Edward Scot and Victor Blackwood have despised one another for nearly a quarter of a century, but now their simmering hatred is about to erupt.

When Cassie Scot returns home from her sojourn in Pennsylvania, she finds that her family has taken a hostage. Desperate to end the fighting before someone dies, Cassie seeks help from local seer Abigail Hastings, Evan Blackwood's grandmother. But Abigail has seen her own death, and when it comes at the hand of Cassie's father, Victor Blackwood kills Edward Scot.

But things may not be precisely as they appear.

Evan persuades Cassie to help him learn the truth, teaming them up once again in their darkest hour. New revelations about Evan and his family make it difficult for Cassie to cling to a shield of anger, but can Evan and Cassie stop a feud that has taken on a life of its own? Conclusion to the Cassie Scot series.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Mystery, Urban Fantasy, Magic

262 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2014

About the author

Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

Reviews

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whelp, all good things must come to an end, and sadly it is time to say goodbye to one of my favorite heroines: Cassie Scot. What we get in the final book of this fantastic series is tears, laughter, understanding, and closure.

Just being able to watch Cassie grow into her own was a great to see. From sheltered to fierce, Cassie has kept all her good qualities. She shows compassion and a caring attitude even when she, herself, is at risk. In a world where nothing is done freely and favors are paid in full, Cassie has learned to maneuver it well without any real “natural” magic.

Evan is phenomenal in the final book. Stepping up and stepping in. He makes his intentions known and his reward for such unwavering love and loyalty will touch your heart.

What more can I say? A great ending to a wonderful little series.

5 STARS!

T~
Blog tour on July 29th.
www.ktbookreviews.com

[Kimber Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

I really loved Stolen Dreams, the final book in the Cassie Scot series. There's really no way to write an in-depth review without major spoilers. So I think I'm going to focus instead on what I liked and didn't like.

I didn't like that this is the final book. Along the way, I came to really like the characters, and it kills me to see the series end. There's so much more to tell. I'd love to hear about Cassie's siblings, about her new life, about Kaitlin (what happens to Kaitlin?). It's rare that I come across a series that I really connect with and this is one of them.

I loved the ending of the story. It was satisfying on so many levels. I like how Ms. Amsden portrayed Cassie. I've always considered Cassie a strong character, but her inner strength is just cemented in this final book. I think Cassie grew more in this story than the other three combined. I loved the potion belt she started wearing, and I loved the dreams. The section with Kaitlin and Jason made me sad, but we're left with hope for them.

I would have liked more information about the villain. That entire part of the story was interesting and also a bit rushed. Can I just say that the magic community in this series is full of stubborn hot-heads...

If you haven't started the series, be sure to start with book one, Cassie Scot ParaNormal Detective. These are not standalone books and must be read in order. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys urban fantasies with lots of magic, mystery, and some romance.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams by Christine Amsden is a 2014 Twilight Times publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The day I have anticipated and also dreaded... the last book in the Cassie Scot series. While I was excited about reading the book, I was also sad. I have really come to love these characters and are invested in them. So, I didn't want the series to end. Having said that, it was probably best to give the readers a bit of closure especially in the situation between Evan and Cassie which really needed to change because it's quite obvious that the two of them love each other, always have and always will, they just got a raw deal. It looks as if all hope is lost when the story opens. Cassie is back home, engaged to Alexander, and the war between the families , the Scots and the Blackwood's is at an all time peak. Cassie's feelings for Evan are no longer confusing to her. She hates him, really. There is nothing there anymore except for pain, anger and bitterness. It looks like that's probably a good thing, since her family has posted “wanted “ signs everywhere and a million dollar bounty is hanging over Evan's head.
This is the set up leading up to the ultimate showdown between the families. Be prepared for tears, pain, joy, and finally peace and understanding.
Evan and Cassie have been on a long journey together. Evan's confidence was shaken when he discovered the truth about Cassie's absence of magical ability and had a really hard time dealing with it. Now, however, that is the least of their worries as bodies begin piling up. There are stunning, mind blowing revelations and a mystery so murky I didn't know if we would ever get to the bottom of things.
The only complaint I had about the story was that we didn't get to see how Cassie's relationship with her family evolves. Notably absent was any discussion between Cassie and her mother. There were some really big emotional blows that were a bit too glossed over and not enough time was given to the reader to digest it. That said, there was a lot going on and a lot of issues that had to be worked through to spend too much time on any one relationship except that of Cassie and Evan, and ultimately they are the main focus of book, and rightly so.
During our time with Cassie we have seen a young girl go through a tough time dealing with being different from others, having her heart broken on more than one occasion, have moments of doubt and moments of clarity. Her Romeo and Juliet relationship with Evan has appeared as doomed as the Shakespeare version. Her family is firmly pitted against his and these two have certainly paid the price over the years. There are so many elements to these stories I could go on and on about them, but in the end I think the reader will feel very content with the way things work out. A high price was paid, and there are devastating losses, but Cassandra will come out of triumphantly. She will learn who she really is deep down inside, what really matters to her the most, and will be rewarded greatly for all her suffering So, even though the series has ended and I am sad I will not be hearing from these characters again, I do feel like the final outcome will give the reader enough to satisfy them about the future Cassandra will have and we know she now has all she ever needed.
Five stars!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing and infuriating. I am so tired of books in which women must give up something for men. It's not just the heroine in this story but a whole theme that runs throughout in which women are victims who must be saved by big strong men.

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the best one in the series! This series went out with a bang. It is also my favorite cover.
This book was fun, suspenseful, and interesting - a real page turner for sure.

Christine did an excellent job with this one. The character development was just great! By the third and forth books you really get to know the characters and their personalities. but I think it is really that Christine's writing just keeps getting better and better! At least thats the way it felt to me.
Plus the characters are so likable. Especially in this forth book.

"Evan's face stared back at him from a large glossy poster hanging in the front window of the local post office. The words "Wanted Alive" were splattered across the top in big red letters. Someone had cast an animation spell over it to make his hooded eyes shift slightly, as if in guilt. Evan had seen all that before, but a new addition to the bottom of the poster stopped him dead in his tracks : "One Million Dollar Reward"
"Crap," he muttered under his breath. - LOL you can say that again!

"It could have been any normal Tuesday evening, except for the hostage upstairs." - yeah normal

This is a great fun paranormal series to read! I think you can squeeze it in before the end of summer!

Thanks Christine for sending me this book for my honest review!
I am really looking forward to reading more books by you in the future!

Christine has let me know that she is working on two new books! Both sip-offs using other characters from this series - Madison "Madison's Song" and Kaitlin "Kaitlin's Tale", both of whom I love! So that is very exciting news! I'll be first in line for those.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler ahead, but if you've read this far into the series you've probably guessed it anyway.

I'll give this a three based on objective-like quality. It probably deserves more, as it is well-written. But as has been the case with every book past the first, I've become increasingly frustrated with each one. And this last one had me so irritated I was ranting to my husband about what was obviously going to happen before it even did. And when it finally came about, I just wanted to one-star the sucker and DNF it.

I like Cassie. I even like Evan. I understood that the actions of their family aren't theirs and they were not in control of the situation. It's not actually them I dislike. (Though watching Evan try and manipulate and trick Cassie into marrying him, just like the dozens of other men, almost condemned him in my eyes.)

But something about the treatment of women in the book has been niggling me from the beginning and getting worse as the series went on. And I finally pinpointed it here. It's two fold. The first is Cassie being powerless and eventually accepting that.

Let me be more clear. Cassie spends the whole series successfully learning to defend herself without active magic. And importantly, she wants her magic and to be able to defend herself. (Not be defended, she wants to defend herself.) And she gets a lot of pushback for this from men who want to protect her instead.

One of the large turning points of the book is that Evan (who has her power) finally offers it back and she refuses it. She finally accepts that "not everyone is a warrior" and she doesn't have to be one because she married one instead. In other words, she accepted that it's a woman's place to stand back and be protected, not to actively protect themselves.

This whole, 'not everyone is a warrior' wouldn't have been as egregious for me if it had been Meredith or someone who didn't want to fight anyway. But for Cassie, who does, to finally accept this felt like a feminist kick in the teeth. She basically just stepped back into the traditional female role she had been fighting all along.

What's more, it put her firmly back in the traditional female role of sacrifice. She sacrificed her own power (and for a little while her family) to be with him. While he got to keep all of his ill-gotten power and get the girl. That made me angry.

As did seeing him try and force her into loving him. I promise you, a person can be so angry as to never want to see or have anything to do with someone and still love them. Happens in families all the time. Just because she might have lingering feelings of love does not mean she wants to tie herself to him. The whole 'bet me' plot line felt like a skeezy trap. It made him no better than all the men who slipped her love potions, in my opinion.

My second issue is bigger and vaguer. A running theme in the series is the slave trade, in which women (and apparently only women, if we go by anecdotal evidence) are kidnapped, drained of their magic to make them biddable, and sold into 'marriage' (which one would assume also means rape). This is spoken of as horrible. The one stranger the characters meet who is such a woman is obviously being abused. HOWEVER, every such woman we meet and get to know is perfectly happy in her captivity. All the men (and everyone else) refer to them as wives, bought wives, but wives. The slavery aspect is subtly erased.

If these were women who put themselves on the market to be bought, that would be fine. But remember the kidnapping, rape of magic and sale? These aren't wives any more than Sally Hemingway was Jefferson's 'mistress.' She and they were slaves. So, for the mayor's wife to lecture Cassie on how she and her husband love each other, for Evan's father to wax lyrical about trying so hard to make his first wife happy, etc, dismisses the gravity of slavery. He said he loved his wife, but he still had to let her go. She wasn't free to do so on her own. She was owned.

This acceptance of slavery, despite calling it bad, was strongly reinforced by the fact that throughout the series men are trying to enslave Cassie through magic and everyone just accepts it as normal. Cassie herself even decides to go work for and help the man who came closest to catching her. She understandood perfectly that he tried to enslave her mind, magically roofied her and tried to rape her. She sees this. But he's apparently not a bad enough man to avoid contact with or judge as evil. And neither is his father, despite buying a traumatized slave as a 'wife.'

The combination of these issues finally led me to hate this series, even as I liked the characters. There's something pervasively and perniciously anti-woman in them. If you remember that the word 'nice' once meant foolish or stupid, you can then understand what I mean when I say it encourages us to be 'nice,' to not step out of our role, to not strive for more. Cassie did, and it was frustrating for four whole books. She only got her happiness when she stopped and accepted that she needed to let Evan do the protecting (and by extension much of the decision-making) and accept that she was better off without power.

The author did try and mediate this a little by saying Cassie didn't want her magic because she loved herself the way she was and giving her a gift she couldn't access with her power. But the first felt pat and the second wasn't part of Cassie's decision-making. She didn't know until after the decision was made.

So, I clicked the three-star button. But in my heart this was a one-star read.

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Maybe. I'll have to think about it some more. RTC.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally the end of the series has arrived. I was really hoping all those pesky questions would get answered. Thankfully most are, some are kind of vague still.

A is typical with this series we jump into the middle of things. There are gaps in time between books that are told but not shown. Sometimes that makes you feel like you are playing catch-up with the story. Things are explained, it just takes a little time.

Everything is not happiness and light in this book. Things are coming to a head and there are casualties. A few really heartbreaking moments, have the tissues handy.

The romance is finally sorted out, I think you will like the end result. There also seems to be a hint of HEA for her friends Madison and Katelyn. It might be nice to have a follow-up novella to tie up those strings.

The story is mostly from Cassie's POV, but there are a few sections of Evan. It gives you a broader view of what is going on. I kind of wish we had more of Evan, it would have balanced things out a bit more.

There is a bit of cracked bedroom door. This means a few people get intimate, with a tiny bit of detail. It is barely worth noting, but I know some people do not like any mention of sex in a book. Up to this point there has been on smexy time in the series.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Melissa Reizian Frank, who has been wonderful throughout the series. She had great voices and characterization a that were easy to identify. She drew you more into the story and had you by the heart at emotional moments! Her pace was perfect for all the action and energy of the story.

I am sad that it is over, but thrilled to see how it turned out. Really entertaining series that kept you guessing!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is the last book in the Cassie Scot new adult paranormal mystery series! I really have enjoyed this series a lot.

If you’re new to the series, I advise you to pick up the books in order:

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective
Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot #2)
Mind Games (Cassie Scot #3)
Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4)

In this the final installment, talented author Christine Amsden brings the infamous Scot vs. Blackwood family feud to a close, but not without filling her story with enough intrigue, mystery, twists and surprises to keep you thinking about the characters for a long time.

And this is, really, the biggest draw in these stories, the characters, especially Cassie and Evan. Cassie has been such a likable protagonist throughout the series, smart and strong and opinionated, yet caring and warm-hearted. Evan –yes, arrogant, condescending and overprotective Evan — has also been the perfect hero. They were school sweethearts…until Evan’s father stole her powers from her and gave them to Evan, thus starting a conflict between them that brought them to the depths of despair, especially for Cassie.

There are many subplots in this book, but the main problem happens when Cassie’s father is killed and she and her family think that Evan’s dad is the one responsible. The primary storyline has to do with finding out if this is true or not and, if not, then who, in fact, is responsible.

There are many surprises in Stolen Dreams, and I enjoyed all of them. Fans of romance will especially enjoy the focus on Cassie and Evan’s relationship. I loved the ending. In sum, this was a wonderful series, and the author delivered a satisfying closure. I wonder what she will come up next? I’m certainly going to be on the lookout for her future books.

[D.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams is the fourth and final book in the Cassie Scot series and it does not disappoint. All those loose ends and pesky questions are finally answered in this conclusion to the series. Everything being tied up in a neat little bow proves how great a storyteller Amsden is. She has clearly plotted and planned this series down to the most minute detail. Not only is the story great but it is well written as well with little witticisms thrown in here and there to keep the reader smiling despite how dark the story can sometimes be. Although some characters finally show their true colors in this segment of the story, Cassie remains the wonderful person that we met and feel in love with at the start of the series. She also experiences some character growth when she learns some unexpected truths about Victor Blackwood and her father.
If you are looking for a series to keep you entertained this summer while lying on the beach or poolside, I highly recommend diving into Cassie Scot’s life. You won’t be disappointed.

[Wulfwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams is the final book in the Cassie Scot series. We have watched Cassie grow so much throughout the series. I had invested so much in my friendship with Cassie that this book was both anticipated and dreaded. The author did a masterful job with this book. I usually do not like the last book in a series. Too often it does not end the way I hoped for. A few times, in the final book, the characters did not even resemble the characters in the first few books. Stolen Dreams did not have either of those issues.

In the beginning we met Cassie, a young girl, in a magical family, who had no magic. She was trying to find herself and where she fit in to things. We watched her grow, stumbling along through some difficult situations. In Stolen Dreams we see her come into her own. I was so freaking proud of her!
Evan is back and is another character we have watched grow and come into himself. That was a surprise for me. I am not use to getting to watch two main characters grow up so much. We know from the first book in the series that Cassie and Evan were friends who were attracted to each other. We also know that both their families hated each other. With reason. From the start I knew Cassie and Evan belonged together but just because you belong together doesn't mean you get to be together.
Cassie went through some very tough times and Evan was at the heart of them...not always in a good way. Most writers would have focused on Cassie, after all the story is hers, but not Ms Amsden. She did an outstanding job with the character development of Cassie and Evan. I really loved that she devoted time to us really getting to know Evan. Do Evan and Cassie finally get together? When Stolen Dreams opens she is engaged to Alexander and the feud between the families of Cassie and Evan is at an all time high. Not only that but with all that Cassie has found out, her love for Evan has turned to hate. I have always said you cannot truly hate someone unless you loved them first. The line is fine and once you cross it the road back is long and pain filled. Most never recover the loss of trust needed in order for love to survive. I will leave it to you to discover if Cassie marries Alexander, Evan, someone else or no one else.

The other part I truly loved with this series deals with all the "minor" characters. Ms Amsden wrote them in such a way that we know they are minor but yet they are major. I love Kaitlyn and Madison. They each have a story to tell, (in this book we find out just how much Madison has to tell! Bomb goes off with her). I definitely want to read the spin offs that tell their stories. The situations they each are in combined with Ms Amsden talent for character development make those books a must read when they come out. I am suspecting we will see Cassie and Evan a time or two in those books which makes saying farewell a bit easier.

Stolen Dreams is the final chapter for Cassandra. I really loved the wrap up. Each book contains a main case that Cassie works on but has all these mini plots going on. With Stolen Dreams we get the answers to questions we have had since book one. I enjoyed how the author wove this series with its main plot and sub plots. It was truly magical. Nothing was really lost in the wrap up. I think that was an amazing feat. With so much going on it would have been easy to lose a sub plot. Ms Amsden handled it masterfully.

I am so sad to see the end come to Cassandra Scot. I have loved this series so much. I was so excited to receive my copy of Stolen Dreams but at the same time dreaded reading it because of the goodbye. This was a hard review to write. I didn't want to give away spoilers and at the same time I wanted to talk about it. This entire series was such a delightful surprise to read. I loved reading Nancy Drew when I was a child. This series is my magical grown up Nancy Drew series. Matter of fact the books share space with my old Nancy Drew books. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Christine Amsden for providing me with review copies of her books. My reviews of each of them are my honest feelings about the books. I enjoyed them so much that I also purchased Kindle copies of each book. I would recommend this series be read in the order written. The books are not stand alones. It is a series I would recommend to teens and adults. There are some situations that may not be suitable for younger children.

[books are love · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a amazing and wonderful ending to this series. I have a few questions but nothing to do with Cassie and Evan. I wonder about Kaitlin and Jason-will they make it? Will she turn? will he stay who he is on the inside? I wonder about Evan and Madison-will they give each other a chance? will they become close? I wonder about Nicholas-will he beg Madison for forgiveness? will he take his new role serious? will he grow into the person we all hope he can be? Will he find himself with Madison forever? I wonder about Cassie's family- will they let go of years of anger? Will they heal? Will they stay close? I wonder about matthew-will he be successful? will he find love?

As for Cassie and Evan i only hope they stay open and honest with each other, grow old together and continue to support and love one another. I do hope to hear about their adventures being a team and helping others.

when the book begins we pick up where the last left off. Cassie unforgiving and trying to forge a new life on her own. Evan a wanted guy and hated but still having hope for Cassie to love him. He does end up feeling disappointed and betrayed by Cassie due to actions of his family. At one point he even loses hope in their love but never loses faith and that is a big difference. Faith carries Evan through everything.

A feudal war between the Scots and Blackwoods has begun and it does get ugly. Evan has to resort to things he doesn't like and feels guilt about afterward just to live. His grandmother takes on Cassie and tries to garner peace but Cassie is so hating Evan that she doesn't care. It takes Cassie awhile to grow and become comfortable with who she is. It isn't until Evan does a grand gesture that this finally occurs. Her insecurities and wanting to fit in to her family as not being broken plays a huge role in this acceptance of self taking so long. Cassie though through all her proclamations of hate shows that she really loves evan in some of her actions.

As the fight goes on and tragedy escalates, Evan tries to garner a peace with Cassie who is reluctant. boy is she reluctant. At the same time we have Jason needing someone to listen to him and help him with a situation and decision, one that has him between a rock and a hard place poor guy. He is a wonderful guy just stuck. We have Evan's cousin Scot angry and in love with Madison. Madison having heartache and anger. Kaitlin needing to feel love that comes from jason. Acceptance needed by all and each character grows in their own way.

when victor explains the past to Cassie and Evan it is so heartbreaking Poor guy. Even Cassie feels for him. This is a turning point for the book for here Cassie begins to see things differently and Evan gets hope back for them. Nicholas however needs to grow up. What he did was inexcusable and truly truly needs to beg for forgiveness. He let his loyalty to family cloud his judgement and close off his heart to understanding and kindness. he does in the end see a few things differently but still his actions during the book have a lot to be desired.

the mystery of what really happened between Victor and Cassie's dad is a great plot feature. Keeps us on our toes and helps to begin the healing process. Cassie also begins to see she has magic in her own way and is important in her own unique way as well. Evan helps her to see this as did his grandmother.

A wonderful book of mystery, acceptance, becoming comfortable with who we are and love as we go through the feud of the Blackwoods and Scots and finally get closure of some sort between these families. the writing is enchanting and hooks you hook line and sinker from the beginning. The story of Jason and Kaitlin will intrigue you and the love of Evan and Cassie and how they find themselves and each other is enrapturing. A truly addictive series and book that will have you lost in the tale from page 1 and wanting more after the last word is read.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

There may be spoilers for previous books in my review.....

Well, here we are...the final book in the Cassie Scot series. I'm not at all ready to say goodbye to the characters I've grown fond of and have enjoyed reading about. I've watched Cassie develop into a wonderful character ~ friend, sister, daughter, significant other. She's not perfect and you know what? That's alright - she doesn't need to be perfect. The ability to relate to her on an emotional level stems from her being written like a normal everyday person. As we know from previous books, Cassie was stripped of her magic long ago and as such, has been the odd duck - a non-magic user in a family stuffed to the gills with magical ability. She's different which causes people to react to her differently but she's the one who comes out on top. I love her strength, conviction, and determination to do what is right whether it's the popular choice or not.

I've watched Evan mature into a fine man that loves Cassie for who she is and not what she could provide in bearing his children. He and Cassie have traveled a really rough road paved with love, loss, binding agreements, and stolen magic. The tragedies that occur in Stolen Dreams will make you gasp in horror but they force people to take the feud between the families of Cassie and Evan seriously. This causes an unlikely reunion between Cassie and Evan despite the protest of both the Scot's and the Blackwood's. Whether the reunion results into anything beyond just a way to establish peace will require you to read the series.Yes, I know I'm mean but it's for your own good. I absolutely refuse to spoil Book 4 for anyone.

On the quest to figure out exactly who is adding fuel to the Scot-Blackwood fire, Cassie discovers that not all who are close to her are allies. In surprising twists and turns, Stolen Dreams dives headfirst into the waters of uncertainty. As everything progresses, deception is uncovered and those previously accused are redeemed. Unfortunately, the redemption comes at very high costs. Cassie also discovers that she may not be completely mundane after all.

Christine Amsden does an absolutely fantastic job tying up all the loose ends left swaying in the breeze since book 1. The ultimate conclusion of the series isn't lacking in any regard, and leaves the reader satisfied - or at least left me satisfied - with the development and execution of the finale.

As with Books 1-3, the dialogue, character development, and writing style of Stolen Dreams is well done. The entire series is fresh and unique. I was pulled into the world of Cassie Scot from day one with its smart heroine and strong hero. I am very grateful that I've been afforded the opportunity to be part of the blogging world that gets to introduce this series to others.

You won't be disappointed with the Cassie Scot series!

ARC review copy courtesy of the author, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and ratings are my own.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

The feud between the Scot and Blackwood families has been going on for many, many years. This of course has left Cassie Scot and Evan Blackwood; who have been sweet on each other since childhood in the middle of both of their father's fight all these years. But when Cassie learns the true reason behind their feud she becomes angry herself. Now Cassie hates Evan and wants nothing else to do with him ever. Evan himself is shocked at the real truth too. But at the same time he can now understand himself a lot better.

After learning the truth Cassie couldn't stay in town any longer with the one person she was so upset with being so close so she left and spent some time in Pennsylvania. Upon her return she sees how far the feud has progressed, her family has taken a hostage as well as put out a million dollar reward for Evan. Cassie knows that she has got to put a stop to the Scot's and the Blackwood's fighting before someone ends up dead. She is going to have to make both families grow up and stop acting like little kids.

Cassie is one tough little lady for someone who has no magic of her own. She is the only one in her family born with no magic. But she still knows how to defend herself with her magical potions which she now carries on a belt. Cassie is one brave girl who will go up against anything or anyone to save people. She will walk right into the middle of danger all by herself to try and save another human being even if it means she may lose her own life in the process.

Cassie and Evan both go through a lot of emotional situations in Stolen Dreams. Cassie is use to taking care of herself and Evan wants to take care of her himself and this can cause some conflict between the two. Evan can be a little overbearing at times. But Cassie can get herself into some very dangerous situations and then she starts calling on Mr. Evan to help her out. But no matter what is going on in their lives and how they feel about each other they each still turn to the other one when they are hurting and need help.

Stolen Dreams is the last and final book in the Cassie Scot Series and I am so very sorry to see it end. I would love to know more about Cassie and Evan's lives together and how they do deal with all of the grief in their lives among other things. I would also love to more about her mother and father's story and why they ended up where they are now. I have loved following Cassie along on her journey through the Cassie Scot Novels from the first book to the last book. If you have not read any of the Cassie Scot Novels you don't know what you are missing out on. If you have not then I highly recommend that you read the books in order. I can't wait to read about Madison and Kaitlin's stories in the spinoff series.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

*I’d like to thank the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

When I read the synopsis for this final book in the Cassie Scot series, I knew I had to read it, even if some things that had happened in the previous books were confusing or blurry in my memory. Thanks to the author, I received an early opportunity to do just that, and I am pretty happy that I did.

Cassie really came into her own in this book. Even if it wasn’t how I was expecting, she changed for the better, and learned to love herself as she was. I thought some of the changes near the end were a little bit odd for Cassie’s character, but I still liked her overall. Reading this series from her point of view has been really fun, and i’ll definitely miss her character.

The side characters in this book continued to grow. I felt really horrible for Madison, but the fact that she always stuck by her friends’ side made me love her even more. As for Kaitlin, I thought that she definitely didn’t deserve what she got. She was still a good friend to Cassie and Madison though. Finally, there was Evan. All the reasons I liked his character came into play in this novel. Sure, he was overbearing and overprotective, but he was also open and honest. I was wondering how he and Cassie would get anywhere in this novel, since the feud between their families was at an all-time high, but i needn’t have worried. Their relationship really matured, and turned into something good for both of them, although I do think certain things changed a bit fast.

This story revolved around the feud between the Blackwoods and Scots. There were arguments, curses, fights, and even a death. Through all this, Evan and Cassie finally learned to work together, in order to discover what was really going on. I liked the romantic element in this book, even if some things did happen a bit too abruptly.

Either way, I couldn’t put this book down once I really got into it, and it was a good final installment in Cassie’s story. I enjoyed the friendship and romance, as well as the mystery. I did find the revelations and ending a bit anticlimactic, along with some of the things that happened with Evan and Cassie. Still, if you’ve read the first three books in this series, you should definitely pick up this one and see how everything ends. And if you haven’t read a book in this series, you need to go and pick up the first novel. The world and characters make this a series any paranormal reader won’t want to miss.

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a honest review.

4 1/2 Stars.

Stolen Dreams is the fourth and final book in the Cassie Scot series, and what an amazing journey it’s been.

The Blackwood and Scots have been in a feud with each other for years, but it isn’t till the final installment that we see the two families’ feud final boil over…with causalities on both sides. Like the previous books, Amsden works a multi-plot story interwoven with a main case in which both Cassie and Evan have to work together to solve. The only difference now is that it relates to their immediate family…specifically their fathers.

Cassie has definitely done a lot of growing over the course of the series. When readers first met Cassie, she was still figuring life out. Trying to find her place in the world, society (both human/magical community) and her family. Cassie was always trying to fit in with her magical family; believing she wasn’t anyone unless she had magic. It has taken awhile for Cassie to come to the realization that she didn’t need magic to understand herself worth and but in the end she loved herself for exactly who she is, someone without magic. I love seeing that transformation. Cassie’s character has grown stronger and stronger over the novels, and she can do anything she puts her mind to as best as the next person with magic.

Readers also finally got to learn more about the background/history of the secondary characters like Madison, Jason, Aunt Sherri (Jason’s mom), Edward and Victor which brought a lot into perspective and answered questions I had throughout the series. I thought the final installment was well done, and am happy how everything ended. Although, I am sad that series has come to an end, like others readers I’m not ready to say good-bye to Cassie and the gang. However, it won’t be good-bye forever as the author mentioned that a spin-off of sorts is in the work, this time focusing on the secondary characters as lead like Kaitlin and Madison.

All in all, Stolen Dreams was an amazing end to an incredible series. I highly recommend this series to all NA/Paranormal lovers and those that enjoy character driven novels. Cassie is one of the realist and most relatable heroine I’ve read and I guarantee you’ll love her as much as I do. It is best to start at the beginning with Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective (book 1) as the story arc and character development progresses along all four books. I can’t wait to read Amsden’s spin-off series; I’m dying to know what happens to Kaitlin, Jason and their baby!

[Zili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed reading Christine Amsden's Cassie Scot series and was really unsure what to expect from the last instalment Stolen Dreams. I knew what I wanted to happened but I was concerned Christine may decide on an anti-HEA by throwing a major spanner in the works.

If you've read the previous books then you'll remember Cassie wasn't exactly in the best place when the story ended. It was looking like she would never forgive Evan for his involvement in her magic situation.

Stolen Dreams isn't just Cassie and Evan's story, it focuses on magic in general. The big issue is the impending battle between their families, the Scot's and the Blackwood's. I kept thinking that even if Cassie could forgive Evan, how can they be together when their families hate each other (we all remember how Romeo and Juliet ended)!

I've always liked Cassie because in every book she shows strength and determination, but in Stolen Dreams she really comes into her own! I liked how she wasn't prepared to be pushed aside or told what to do anymore. She takes on those who set out to control or manipulate her. Cassie is extremely stubborn and I kept wanting her to see how much Evan loves her.

Evan is as determined and bad ass as ever, but we get to see a softer side and a few moments of doubt. He can be kind of condescending at times and whenever he'd try to tell Cassie what to do, I was hoping she'd smack him (lets be honest, Cassie's probably the only one who could get away with it).

There are lots of twists in the story and I enjoyed the reveals about certain secondary characters. I had certain doubts about some characters who went on to redeem themselves but there were others who shocked me!

I really enjoyed how Christine finished Cassie's story and has nicely set up the spin-off series. I would have liked a longer ending but that's mainly because I'm greedy!!

4 Stars in my Sky!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

More reviews on my blog Zili in the Sky

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars


"Stolen Dreams" by Christine Amsden is the exciting conclusion to her paranormal ‘Cassie Scot’ series. Evan Blackwood has an even larger bounty on his head than before, and is still struggling with Cassie Scot’s rejection, particularly since she has run off with Alexander duPris and there are rumors that the two of them will wed. Hostilities between the extended families of the Scots and Blackwoods continue to escalate until lives are very much at risk. Cassie returns to town, only to be caught in even more of a dilemma as Kaitlin prepares to have the baby of Jason the Vampire Hunter who is rumored to have become one of those he formerly hunted, and revelations about her friend Madison strain their relationship even more. The specter of Cassie’s stolen magic continues to alter many relationships and will, until Cassie finds a way to deal with it permanently. The problem is that not everyone will be happy with her decision and some may choose a different way of solving it permanently, possibly even fatally.


This was a wonderfully imaginative way to end the series and provided both poignant scenes and lots of unexpected surprises. It was a little overwhelming trying to remember who some of the players were at first, and I strongly recommend that you read all of the series in order since there are a multitude of individuals who all have their own agendas. This is a great illustration of the complications that arise when one assumes that one knows best for another person even as it reinforces the importance of being comfortable in your own skin. There are a few areas that are still a little murky for me and I have to hope that it’s because the author has left room to continue the saga of these intriguing characters but on the whole, I thought this was a very satisfying conclusion to a fun series.

A copy of this title was provided to me in return for an honest review

[Mareena · Rating 5 out of 5]

For nearly twenty-five years, the patriarchs of the Scot and Blackwood families - two of the most magically-powerful families in Eagle Rock - have despised each other. A quarter of a century has passed for both Edward Scot and Victor Blackwood, and for all that time they've managed to keep a thin veneer of polite civility in place and their simmering mutual hatred in check. But that hatred is about to explode.

Two months after returning home from her sojourn in Pennsylvania, Cassie Scot is shocked to discover that her family has apparently taken a hostage in her absence. Desperate to end the feud before someone dies, Cassie does something that at one time she wouldn't have believed possible - she seeks help from local seer Abigail Hastings, Evan Blackwood's grandmother. However, while Abigail remains remarkably vague and extremely tight-lipped about her visions, she assures Cassie of one inescapable constant, someone will most certainly die: Abigail herself. And when her death comes at the hands of Cassie's own father, Victor Blackwood kills Edward Scot in retaliation.

But even Abigail's visions of the future can be fickle, and certain things may not be precisely as they appear.

Victor's son Evan persuades Cassie to help him learn the truth, teaming them up once again in their darkest hour. Recent revelations about Evan and his family make it increasingly difficult for Cassie to maintain her shield of anger against him. But is it possible for Evan and Cassie to ease tensions between their families; especially when the feud has seemingly taken on a life of its own?

This is the conclusion to the Cassie Scot Series, and I was absolutely thrilled to read it. I loved the evolution of the story throughout the entire series and wanted to know how it all would end. I give Stolen Dreams an A+! and must say that I'm incredibly sorry to leave the town of Eagle Rock behind. I will definitely keep my eyes open for more from this author in the future!

[Lissette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since Cassie Scot learned the circumstances behind her having no magic, her life hasn't been the same. Her heart aches for what is lost, and she's had to content herself with the fact that nothing is as she knows it. Things have been so hectic, that she no longer knows which way is up or down.

To make matters worse, her family is intent on keeping the feud with the Blackwoods going. Cassie knows that something must change if anyone is to be happy, yet she's not exactly sure as to what it is she must do. Her heart yearns for what could have been between her and Evan. Deep inside, she knows what she must do to fix things, though she's not quite sure if she wants to. Granted, Evan does everything is his power to try to make her see the light, but it's not enough to change things as they are.

As things continue to spiral in the wrong direction, Cassie soon realizes that there's more to the situation than meets the eye. Someone is out to sabotage her family's way of life, and she's not exactly sure as to why. Determined to put together the pieces of her past, she embarks on a quest that will change her life and that of those she loves. Will she and her family be able to weather the oncoming storm? Or will their way of life and magic be lost forever?

Another great addition to the Cassie Scot series, Christine does not disappoint! While this is the end of this portion of the series, I have a feeling that it's not the end of Cassie and Evan.

A delightful romp into all things paranormal, the author immerses us in a world where anything is possible. Magic, mayhem, and craziness ensues with every turn on the page. I think Christine did a wonderful job in tying up all the loose ends. I hope we get to see more of these beloved characters in the future!

[Kirsty Bicknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book series' are common now but often I find that my interest wanes after the second or third story, but this has not been the case with the Cassie Scot mysteries. Sadly, Stolen Dreams is the last time we will meet Cassie, Evan and the paranormal citizens of Eagle Rock, but Christine Amsden says farewell to her characters in style!
After the revelations Cassie heard about her life in Mind Games she returns to the town angry and confused. Her relationship with Evan is still strained, but she disagrees with the war which has broken out between their families.
Throughout the story Cassie takes complete ownership of her life, regardless of the opinions of those close to her. Her attitude changes throughout the course of the novel, from insisting her magic is transferred to her, to welcoming her new and unusual gift. These are lasting decisions about her future, which affect her both romantically and spiritually and Christine Amsden allows us to see the impact these will have upon her.
This plot is the most emotionally draining of the four books as the Scots and Blackwoods experience birth, death, love and loss, alongside the usual magical occurrences. I hoped for Cassie's HEA in this final book but the journey Christine Amsden takes us on is a powerful and engaging one, leaving us with a lasting impression of the characters.
Stolen Dreams is representative of the first three books, in that it offers any New Adult reader something to enjoy; romance, excitement, passion, intensity, angst, drama and mystery. I will miss Cassie and Eagle Rock, but I am confident that Christine Amsden will offer us an equally good story again soon!

[Beverly McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feuding families and kidnappings. Vampires and seers. Magic and murder. Just another day in the life of Cassie Scot. If Cassie thought her life was complicated before, she’s about to discover things can and do get worse.

In Award-winning author Christine Amsden’s latest novel, STOLEN DREAMS: a Cassie Scot novel, the fourth and final book in the Cassie Scot series, Cassie returns home after being away for two months and finds the feud between her family, the Scots, and the Blackwoods, her ex-boyfriend Evan’s family, has escalated in her absence. Not only does she have to deal with Evan, who claims he still loves her, but people are dying and Cassie needs to stop the murders. Can she and her ex work together to find out who’s responsible? And will Evan give her magic back?

I love this series. Ms. Amsden has a talent for making the characters come to life so that the reader either loves a character or hates him/her. I don’t know a lot about magic and spells and such, but the characters sure know and some of their feats are amazing. While Cassie is a wonderful young woman, interesting and appealing, Evan is my favorite character. He’s not perfect, maybe that’s why I like him; he’s human, well with special abilities. And he truly loves Cassie and regrets things he’s done in the past. Yes, I think she should give him a second chance. Does he? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

STOLEN DREAMS is a great read for readers that love science fiction, fantasy, and the magic (literally) of romance. And if you haven’t read the three previous books, I’d suggest you do so. You’ll be happy you did.
###

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams is the final installment of the Cassie Scot series, and let me say the ending was spectacular. So I’ll just start from there. When all the secrets finally got revealed, I have to say everything was quite a surprise and I enjoyed it. For a moment there I wasn’t quite sure I was going to get the ending I wanted, but I did enjoy the way it all wrapped up. I liked Cassie’s gift and it was interesting to follow her as she understood what was going on and accepted herself for who she is and is not.
I liked the supporting characters as well, especially the story lines with Cassie’s two best friends. I also thought the actions taken by certain characters, such as her cousin for example, made a lot of sense in the situation they were in, even though the decision was not a good one for their own future. I liked the message of what people would sacrifice to protect others.
I think my main gripe would be the relationship between Cassie and Evan. The whole thing lacked feeling to me. Even the scene where Cassie finally accepts, or convinces herself is what it seemed more like, what her feelings really are felt dry to me. I expected more out of that scene, and the scenes that followed with them together.
I also thought the novel took a while to get to the good stuff, with the beginning and middle feeling a bit drawn out to me. It took a lot longer for me to get into the story than it should have, especially with this being the final book and how much I enjoyed the previous ones. But, overall, I did like it and am happy I got introduced to the series.
3.5 stars

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cassie Scot series really comes to an exciting peak with this novel. It is an intense novel, while still being a fun read. I devoured it in a single sitting. Amsden’s vivid & larger than life descriptions bring everything to the forefront in a very visual manner. The captivating storyline kept me on my toes, always wanting to know how things would pan out. The various levels of intrigue and deception are peeled away, allowing readers access to the innermost workings of the story.

I loved how the characters have really grown into themselves throughout the series. Amsden continues to build on the individuals that we’ve come to know and love in previous novels of the series, presenting new facets of the individuals that they are becoming. The characters’ actions and reactions to certain events are just as revealing as the storyline itself. It adds to the suspense and fast forward pace of the story. Also, the revelation of the complete, intertwining histories of the families really brings everything together. Not only the actions of the different factions in the tale, but the story itself.

Overall, this was a brilliant addition to the series. Amsden had me laughing and crying in turn. I’d highly recommend it (and the series as a whole) to those who enjoy some paranormal adventures. This is definitely the peak of a YA series for all ages.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***Received the ebook for free for an honest review

The cover is way cool and probably my favorite of them all :)

I totally love this series, and this book rocked as much as the rest of the series. The only thing I do not like is that there will be no more stories on Cassie which make me really sad.

There is so much going on in this series you are definitely not bored reading it. I wanted to read it straight through and found it really difficult when I had to put it down to take care of my family. Cassie is awesome as always. I love her independence and how she always does what she feels is right whether others agree or not even if it is the family. I wanted to slap Evan a time or two, but I was happy in the end :) This review was harder because I don’t want to give anything away, but so much happens in this story and you don’t want to miss out.

Christine does an awesome job with details and making the story come alive. I’m glad she has a couple books planned for other characters in this world, but I definitely hope this world doesn’t go away because I want more and lots of it.

I highly recommend this series it is a fun series that mixes paranormal and mystery together with lots of action and drama.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I'm not happy saying goodbye to a great series. I have grown to love the characters as much as the story itself. I'm happy Christine ended it with closure to everything we were wondering about.
I'm going to miss Cassie, Evan, the Scot family, not so much the blackwoods though.
This book as I have seen others say wasn't as good as the rest of the series , I have to say I felt at first I want very thrilled with it either but then as I read and everything was being brought out into the open that we were getting closure to the entire series.
I am happy with the way the book ended. I think it was perfect.
everything I wanted to know the entire series of now do.so what more can i ask for besides , please don't end it here!

it is left open if Christine decides to add to it later. if not at least we have closure to all the unanswered questions since book #1.
I also recommend if you haven't read this series, start from book one.
I've been hooked on this series since I received the 1st book
so I'm.sad it ended but happy with the book, the ending, everything in between.

if you want to read my full review with spoilers ill be p I sting that on my blog.
http://thereaderhaven.wordpress.com
The Book Junkie

I received this book for a honest review..

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams is the final instalment in the author’s Cassie Scot, paraNormal Detective series, and it packs a huge emotional punch into its storyline. Book three made Cassie’s small world global, dragging small-town magic and mystery into a nation-wide plot to change the magical world. But now, in book four, Cassie’s running home to friends and family, finding no safe place, and fighting the small-stage dangers that will define how the global is seen.

Can a girl who is different ever learn to fit in? Can a guy who is different ever keep the love of his small-town girl? Can a father who is different really protect his child? And can a father who has sinned ever be forgiven?

Threats abound in this fourth novel. Danger is real. Death is permanent. And no stone is left unturned in finding the killer. There are mysteries behind mysteries here, and all will come to logical resolutions. It’s a complex tale, that really demands its readers be familiar with what came before. But it’s a thoroughly enthralling and rewarding novel, with great characters, well-drawn mystery, complex worldview, and nicely convincing plot.

Disclosure: I received a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour.

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stolen Dreams on Books On Track


This is the conclusion of Cassie's story and some things finally become clear.

Cassie returns home after a couple of months away and finds the Scots and the Blackwoods feuding and Evan in hiding because of her family's bounty on him.

Cassie is avoiding Evan, refuses to speak to him and basically runs away instead of dealing with the plethora of issues they have to work through, which is something I find very frustrating. Her insistence that he is to blame for something he didn't actually do and her refusal to even consider his point of view annoyed me and so did her stubbornness at various situations.

By the end of the book she finally finds her place in the world, letting go of past grievances and allowing herself to be happy, instead of putting obstacles in her own way.

The author has stated that she plans to write two spin-off books about Cassie's best friends, Madison and Kaitlin, and I'm curious to read their stories when they come out, especially Madison's.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed this series from the start and I am absolutely thrilled and delighted with this final chapter! The whole book held me spellbound as it played out. Cassie and Evan’s complicated relationship is finally resolved, and in a most satisfying manner. Secret conspiracies and agendas are revealed when emotions ignite a series of devastating tragedies, all orchestrated by an unlikely villain. Cassie and Even set aside and eventually overcome their injured feelings; working together to mend the almost irreparable damage inflicted upon the community and their feuding families. Again, Christine Amsden writes an intelligent, believable, and often humorous story that touched my heart and left me smiling at the end.

I recommend reading the books in order from the beginning as the story line of each subsequent book expands upon the previous entry. This exceptional urban fantasy series is sure to please readers of all ages.

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

Reviewed by Laurie-J

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I am going to miss the characters in this series. If anyone had told me I would fall in love with a YA series I would have laughed--but the laugh is on me. From the first book to the last I was enthralled. I read each one in one sitting--and hungered for more. I hope at some point Christine Amsden will continue the saga--there are many directions she could take. To read my reviews of the first three click on the links below where the books are listed in order. The about the book below about says it all without giving anything away--and there are an awful lot of things happening!Stolen Dreams