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Call Back the Dream
Award-winning author Barbara Hazard makes her historical romance debut with Call Back the Dream, an exquisite love story bound to expand her devoted and ever-growing audience.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 1990
76 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Hazard
57 books15 followersBarbara (Booth) Hazard, a resident of Exeter, NH, died on October 25, 2019 in Boston, MA surrounded by family. Born in 1931 in Fall River, MA, the daughter of Albert L. and Lillian (Holland) Booth, she was raised and educated in New England. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1953 and was briefly employed by Ginn & Company in Boston as a Technical Editor. She married Donald T. Hazard in 1954 and next worked as a Graphic Designer/Artist for a Concord, NH advertising firm.
Originally trained as a musician, Mrs. Hazard also studied oil painting with Amy Jones and for a time had several shows in New York and Vermont. She began to write historical fiction in 1978. First published in 1981, she went on to write and publish 48 books, several of which are also in circulation abroad. She won several awards for her writing.
Mrs. Hazard wrote that there were several things in her life that she was most proud of; being Concertmaster of the MA All State Orchestra in Symphony Hall in Boston, having a successful career as an artist and as a writer, which was her greatest love besides her husband, three sons and their wives.
She loved New England and in particular, Cape Cod, which she visited every year for most of her life. Her other loves included her family, reading and music. She also wrote under the pen name of Lillian Lincoln.
Originally trained as a musician, Mrs. Hazard also studied oil painting with Amy Jones and for a time had several shows in New York and Vermont. She began to write historical fiction in 1978. First published in 1981, she went on to write and publish 48 books, several of which are also in circulation abroad. She won several awards for her writing.
Mrs. Hazard wrote that there were several things in her life that she was most proud of; being Concertmaster of the MA All State Orchestra in Symphony Hall in Boston, having a successful career as an artist and as a writer, which was her greatest love besides her husband, three sons and their wives.
She loved New England and in particular, Cape Cod, which she visited every year for most of her life. Her other loves included her family, reading and music. She also wrote under the pen name of Lillian Lincoln.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 28, 2016
As I prefer older works, and many of my favorites go way back (20+ years), unfortunately most are widely unknown and/or out of print. One of these is this dazzling gem, Barbara Hazard’s “Call Back the Dream.”
The Elaine Duillo cover is stunning with the heroine in a glorious pink gown and rare red-haired hero. And yes, in this case, you can judge a book by its cover.
Camille Talbot is a vicar's beloved daughter who loves and is loved by young Alexander Maxwell, an earl's son. Their romance is one of the sweetest I've ever read, but there is a lot of sadness and suffering before they can be together (no violence, just heartache). This story spans 15 years. There is only one brief love scene which is exquisitely written, which the entire plot hinges upon, but other than that the sensuality is warm. Don’t expect any bodice ripping, but do except a lot of sentiment.
Barbara Hazard just had a wonderful way of straddling the line between beauty and tragedy. I don’ t think I’ve ever cried so much for a romance except for when reading Rebecca Brandewyne’s western bodice-ripper, Love Cherish Me or anything by the great Penelope Williams.
There are so many sad parts of this book. Alexander and Camille are separated by the cruel machinations of others, but after much heartache they finally get the ending they deserve. And even though it’s a happy ending, it’s bittersweet: He gazes with adoration at his wife and two daughters walking in the garden so thankful for what he has been given, yet sorrowful about what he has been denied.
The ramifications Alexander and Camille’s love story continue in the very good sequel, The Heart Remembers.
This is a keeper for me.
5 stars
The Elaine Duillo cover is stunning with the heroine in a glorious pink gown and rare red-haired hero. And yes, in this case, you can judge a book by its cover.
Camille Talbot is a vicar's beloved daughter who loves and is loved by young Alexander Maxwell, an earl's son. Their romance is one of the sweetest I've ever read, but there is a lot of sadness and suffering before they can be together (no violence, just heartache). This story spans 15 years. There is only one brief love scene which is exquisitely written, which the entire plot hinges upon, but other than that the sensuality is warm. Don’t expect any bodice ripping, but do except a lot of sentiment.
Barbara Hazard just had a wonderful way of straddling the line between beauty and tragedy. I don’ t think I’ve ever cried so much for a romance except for when reading Rebecca Brandewyne’s western bodice-ripper, Love Cherish Me or anything by the great Penelope Williams.
There are so many sad parts of this book. Alexander and Camille are separated by the cruel machinations of others, but after much heartache they finally get the ending they deserve. And even though it’s a happy ending, it’s bittersweet: He gazes with adoration at his wife and two daughters walking in the garden so thankful for what he has been given, yet sorrowful about what he has been denied.
The ramifications Alexander and Camille’s love story continue in the very good sequel, The Heart Remembers.
This is a keeper for me.
5 stars
Read
June 10, 2014For a time back in the 80’s & 90’s, my reading material of choice was frequently bodice rippers, historical fiction, and regency romances with a few contemporary best sellers thrown in for good measure. Most of them were pretty steamy (blush) &/or overly romantic, but I read them during a time in my life when I found myself as a single parent, and these books fit the bill. I found them to be highly entertaining.
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
May 31, 2016
My second Barbara Hazard book and truly love this. Started as a fairly simple love story and then plot thickens to a saga as it spans 15 years since the characters met. Felt the frustration and heart aches of the characters. Barbara Hazard is one of my favorite historical romance authors.
September 20, 2024
The story caught my attention right from the beginning -- Hazard's writing is wonderful -- but MY GOD these people are stupid.
Alexander: My father, the Earl, is incredibly proud and cold and completely unaffectionate. When I tell him I'm in love with a poor parson's daughter, he's going to be thrilled!
Camille: Oh, no, Alexander, don't go to my father and ask to marry me. Let's keep our love secret, instead. What could go wrong?
Alexander: I think I'll burn down a mansion full of priceless treasures, fire all my loyal servants and farmers with nowhere else to go, and give away all my farms to get revenge on a dead man. That will really impress Camille!
Camille: I can't contact my family because the Earl will ruin their lives!
Newspaper: The Earl is dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because... reasons.
Alexander: My father and your mother conspired to make everyone believe you were dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because it would reveal my mother's part in this evil plot! Because I absolutely can't just tell one little lie about that!
Alexander: Your mother is dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because... reasons.
Camille: How did you know that Alexander is Jack's father?
Everyone: Jack looks like Alexander in a black wig.
Camille: That minister gives me the creeps. Wish I could get rid of him... here, in my house... where I'm in charge....
Alexander: My father, the Earl, is incredibly proud and cold and completely unaffectionate. When I tell him I'm in love with a poor parson's daughter, he's going to be thrilled!
Camille: Oh, no, Alexander, don't go to my father and ask to marry me. Let's keep our love secret, instead. What could go wrong?
Alexander: I think I'll burn down a mansion full of priceless treasures, fire all my loyal servants and farmers with nowhere else to go, and give away all my farms to get revenge on a dead man. That will really impress Camille!
Camille: I can't contact my family because the Earl will ruin their lives!
Newspaper: The Earl is dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because... reasons.
Alexander: My father and your mother conspired to make everyone believe you were dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because it would reveal my mother's part in this evil plot! Because I absolutely can't just tell one little lie about that!
Alexander: Your mother is dead.
Camille: I still can't contact my family because... reasons.
Camille: How did you know that Alexander is Jack's father?
Everyone: Jack looks like Alexander in a black wig.
Camille: That minister gives me the creeps. Wish I could get rid of him... here, in my house... where I'm in charge....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews