My Dreams Come True and Other Dreadful Tales

by Rocio Carranza

MY DREAMS COME TRUE — Rocio Carranza’s first horror story collection is made up of fifteen dreadful tales that have plagued her dreams and haunted her waking moments for years.

Now she is sharing the madness with stories of oil tycoons consumed by greed and led deep into the sweltering desert (Quemar), a woman driving alone at night when her thoughts take a sinister turn (Forty Minutes), a seductive heiress with a dark secret and a lover who would do anything for her attention (Liliana), a man who begins having the strangest dreams of a former classmate (My Dreams Come True), and so much more.

These tales will make you question your sanity, hide under the covers, and lead your imagination to conjure up the most terrifying things as you lay in the dark...

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

Rocio Carranza is the international bestselling author of Blood of the Blackthorn and the rest of The Eternal Curse trilogy which includes Flame in the Silver Storm and Wrath of the Cursed Witch. Other works include historical fantasy romance, Beneath the Sacred Well (releasing June 2nd), horror collection My Dreams Come True, and short stories Lana Lang, and Miss Reliable.
Rocio is one half of the Chat You Up podcast where she and her co-host discuss sisterhood, fashion, pop culture, dating, and lifestyle.
When she isn’t typing frivolously at her computer, you can find Rocio gallivanting
about Austin, TX with her husband and two kids or with her nose in at least five different books she likes to read at a time.

Curious to know more?
You can find Rocio on social media on IG/Threads/TT @rociocarranzawrites and Bluesky @rociocarranza.

Reviews

[Rocio Carranza]

Hi everyone! I am the author, Rocio Carranza, and want to thank each of you who chooses to pick up my first horror story collection.

Inside are fifteen stories that will make you question your reality (or sanity), and test how far your imagination will take your deepest, darkest fears.

Because it’s all in our heads, isn’t it?

At least, that’s what we tell ourselves when we turn out the light…

Happy Reading 🖤

[Karidad Ramirez]

What a crazy ride! 

I don't think I've ever read any horror stories (I did love movies when I was younger). So, this is my first time reading a collection of horror stories and I never thought I would like them this much. Don't get me wrong, I a hundred percent did not read them at night, but when I did read them (when there was light outside) I enjoyed them, as crazy as they were. 

So, if you like horror stories that are short and leave you wondering, what the heck did just happen! Then, you need to read this horror story collection Rocio made for us. It won't even take up much of your time. But it sure will keep you wondering if you'll have a nightmare that night. 

P.S. please, read her author's note too!

[Karla Marie]

My Dreams Come True and Other Dreadful Tales is perfect for grown-up fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books and Are You Afraid of the Dark? TV show. Rocio Carranza has crafted a collection that feels like stepping back into those chilling late-night moments, only darker, and made for adult readers.

Each story delivers something different…some dripping with lore and atmosphere, some unsettling enough to make you question your own sanity and what you just read, and the most terrifying ones because they feel like they could actually happen. That balance of supernatural dread and real world horror makes the collection unforgettable.

[Tawn]

I recently finished this collection of short horror stories and I enjoyed it.

The stories effectively evoked a sense of dread and explored the unsettling difficulty of trusting one’s own mind. I particularly appreciated the variety in the collection, ranging from slasher-inspired themes to supernatural monsters. My personal favorites were "The Shed," "Quemar," "The Hike," and "My Dreams Come True."

[J. M. Lopez]

Great collection of horror short stories! Definitely one of the best I have read so far. The collection as a whole was very cohesive while still maintaining individuality for each story itself.

[Mandy Britt]

​If you are looking for a collection that perfectly bridges the gap between childhood nostalgia and adult-oriented horror, My Dreams Come True and Other Dreadful Tales by Rocio Carranza is an essential read. Carranza has crafted a collection of short-form fiction that feels like a darker, more mature evolution of the spooky stories we grew up with, but with a refined, unsettling edge.
​While I typically avoid horror movies, I found this collection surprisingly addictive. I will admit that I strictly limited my reading to the daylight hours to avoid any potential nightmares, as the writing is genuinely effective at building tension. The stories are punchy and unpredictable, often leaving you wondering exactly what you just witnessed. The title story, My Dreams Come True, was a particular standout for its atmosphere and creepiness.
​What makes this collection unforgettable is the balance Carranza strikes between supernatural lore, psychological distress, and terrifyingly grounded horror. It is the perfect companion for the spooky season or for any reader who enjoys being left with a lingering sense of unease.
​Content Warning: This collection contains intense psychological horror, supernatural dread, and disturbing imagery that may be unsettling for some readers.

[Shannon pumpkinqueen73]

A great collection of short stories.
One of my favorites I’ve read so far.

This is a collection of dreadful tales that have haunted the author’s dreams for years.

First of all the dedication 🫶

There are some intro poems that start off each of the 3 part sections that set the tone.
I think what makes most of these stories so good is the realism.
I enjoyed them all but here are a few that stood out for me

Part 1:
Sleepy Little Towns
The Shed and The Hike were my favorites; creepy and haunting.

Part 2:
Forty Minutes - brought back my own PTSD of being stranded when my own car was breaking down
And Corpse were two standouts

Part 3:
My Sleep Demon, It’s Lonely Here and My Eyes ; Disturbing

I highly recommend if looking for some hauntingly good short stories.

I hadn’t heard of this author before and I am very happy to have picked up a signed copy.

[Lanysha]

If you love spooky and strange stories this is for you! I was so excited to get the arc for this book and it was so worth it! I do not like horror movies but I can do horror stories! Everything about this book was creepy and strange and I loved that. You didn’t know what was going to happen or why but that’s the point!

This book is made up of several short stories-my favorite was The Filmmaker and Oblivious!! Just the right amount of creepy and spooky! Just in time for Halloween!!

[Sara-Jane Keenan]

A spooky collection of 15 short horror stories, that the more you think about the more you will spiral into terror.

I enjoyed this book. It was a great concept and interesting to read a different genre from Rocio.

I would recommend this for anyone wanting to try out horror stories. I think I would have loved it more if I had a better imagination but I can be very annoyingly black and white which limits the impact of these stories for me.

[jenni nicole]

ARC review!

I’m not usually a short story person, but I think this book has changed me 🤯

I am typically a horror reader, and really enjoyed the stories in the book! I actually remember having a short nightmare last night after reading. It's a great book for spooky season, def recommend!

[Nick]

I just finished reading this book and this horror anthology book is so good 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾❤️❤️❤️

[Marissa (holdme.thrillme)]

This is a really unsettling compilation of horror stories that will leave you questioning things. I especially enjoyed My Dreams Come True which was extra creepy! If you want short stories to get you in the mood for spooky season these are a great start!

[Charlys Dark Obsessions]

📖 ARC Review 📖

My Dreams Come True by Rocio Carranza

Okay, this collection?
Straight nightmare fuel — in the best possible way. 🖤

Each story crawls under your skin and stays there, the kind of dread that makes you glance over your shoulder or pull the blanket just a little higher. Rocio has this wicked talent for mixing the supernatural with the terrifyingly real — those horrors that feel like they could happen any minute, right outside your window.

It’s giving grown-up Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, but with more bite, more depth, and way more moments that made me whisper “nope” out loud. From greedy oil tycoons and haunted highways to twisted obsessions and cursed love — every page feels like a dare.

If you’re craving a dark, atmospheric read to kick off spooky season, this is it. Just… maybe keep a light on. 💀