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Dreams and Reality #8
Battered Dreams
San Marcos, Texas. A picture perfect American landscape. Communities dominated by Friday Night Football, modest homes, and happy families. Until the serenity of small town life is broken by one family’s discovery of bodies in an abandoned well. Local police try to keep the discovery quiet; they seldom deal with murder and aren’t prepared when one of the bodies turns out to be a local high school boy. The multiple murders drive home the sinister reality that they are no longer innocent of the crimes that plague large cities. Based on the skill involved, the Serial Crimes Tracking Unit realizes that this is not the killer’s first time. As the SCTU digs deep to discover the killer, they uncover more victims. Anger and fear begin to cause panic in what was once a quiet community. Aislinn Cain and the members of her team need to find the killer before the town implodes with terror and the citizens begin doling out their own brand of justice.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
25 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Hadena James
45 books247 followersHadena James began writing at the age of eight. As a teenager, she had several short stories published in literary magazines. She completed writing her first novel at the age of 17.
Hadena graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in European History with minors in German and Russian studies. She has always wanted to be a writer so she also took several classes in creative writing.
Hadena’s primary literary genre is action/thriller. She currently writes two series, both use action/thriller. “The Brenna Strachan Series” uses fantasy and the “Dreams & Reality Series” uses murder mystery as its secondary genre. She continues to explore and expand her writing and hopes to soon produce a comedic action/thriller.
When she isn’t busy writing or running her business, Hadena enjoys playing in a steel-tip dart league. She also loves to travel throughout North America and Europe. Her favorite cities are Chicago, Illinois and Berlin, Germany. She is an avid reader, reading everything from the classics like Jane Austen to modern writers like Terry Pratchett. One of her all-time favorite books is “Good Omens” by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett. She writes all of her books while listening to music and the bands tend to get “honorable mentions” within the pages.
Hadena graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in European History with minors in German and Russian studies. She has always wanted to be a writer so she also took several classes in creative writing.
Hadena’s primary literary genre is action/thriller. She currently writes two series, both use action/thriller. “The Brenna Strachan Series” uses fantasy and the “Dreams & Reality Series” uses murder mystery as its secondary genre. She continues to explore and expand her writing and hopes to soon produce a comedic action/thriller.
When she isn’t busy writing or running her business, Hadena enjoys playing in a steel-tip dart league. She also loves to travel throughout North America and Europe. Her favorite cities are Chicago, Illinois and Berlin, Germany. She is an avid reader, reading everything from the classics like Jane Austen to modern writers like Terry Pratchett. One of her all-time favorite books is “Good Omens” by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett. She writes all of her books while listening to music and the bands tend to get “honorable mentions” within the pages.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 15, 2021
** Reread May 2021 **
Adjusted rating from 4 to 3.5 stars.
I am literally inhaling these books. Another fascinating case but I agree with my former review that the plotline concerning the bubonic plague left a lot to be desired. After being mentioned and built up over the last few books it really ended with a fizzle and not the bang it deserved.
Hmmmm ...... not sure what I think about this one.
Another well written, captivating read with a plotline that was riveting. A psychopathic teenager? Yep, can certainly agree there - they really are that narcissistic!
I was disappointed the bubonic plague subplot was not more fleshed out - it could have been exquisitely gory & it really was right up Aislinn's alley. It sort of fizzled the ending a bit.
I'm not quite sure what to think of Aislinn's tumourless brain, it's quite an adjustment to go from her behaviour in the previous one to this one. I loved her witty repartee in the previous novel - now she has all the charm of a .... well .... serial killer.
I will hold my breath baitedly to see what the next chapter brings. ;)
Adjusted rating from 4 to 3.5 stars.
I am literally inhaling these books. Another fascinating case but I agree with my former review that the plotline concerning the bubonic plague left a lot to be desired. After being mentioned and built up over the last few books it really ended with a fizzle and not the bang it deserved.
Hmmmm ...... not sure what I think about this one.
Another well written, captivating read with a plotline that was riveting. A psychopathic teenager? Yep, can certainly agree there - they really are that narcissistic!
I was disappointed the bubonic plague subplot was not more fleshed out - it could have been exquisitely gory & it really was right up Aislinn's alley. It sort of fizzled the ending a bit.
I'm not quite sure what to think of Aislinn's tumourless brain, it's quite an adjustment to go from her behaviour in the previous one to this one. I loved her witty repartee in the previous novel - now she has all the charm of a .... well .... serial killer.
I will hold my breath baitedly to see what the next chapter brings. ;)
December 11, 2019
Quick and dirty - Hadena James is back! A shorter story that is like two stories in one and almost funny in places. Aislinn has a really funny turn of phrase at times. Yes, yes, its all about murder and shouldn't be funny. Love the series.
March 16, 2021
I usually really enjoy this series but this one felt a bit flat, usually there is a real build up and strong character development with the serial killers but didn’t feel very in depth to me.
I enjoyed the idea that someone had developed and man made the plague - although the thought of it being released fills me with dread!
I’m hoping the next one in the series picks up a bit more like the others before this one!
I enjoyed the idea that someone had developed and man made the plague - although the thought of it being released fills me with dread!
I’m hoping the next one in the series picks up a bit more like the others before this one!
August 18, 2017
More intriguing with every installment
Have loved the series since its inception and recommended it to a friend who bought the entire series. It seems a shift has taken place in the series where the characters are established enough that you can identify with who they are. Perhaps you know someone like one of the many team members or the primary characters or maybe even you yourself. The writer awakens the awareness that we really are surrounded by functional affected sociopath/psychopaths and that while not all are a danger, we certainly must come across ones who are. The chill factor is all that much more real as you realize there is a touch of truth to this fiction. Definitely a must read.
Have loved the series since its inception and recommended it to a friend who bought the entire series. It seems a shift has taken place in the series where the characters are established enough that you can identify with who they are. Perhaps you know someone like one of the many team members or the primary characters or maybe even you yourself. The writer awakens the awareness that we really are surrounded by functional affected sociopath/psychopaths and that while not all are a danger, we certainly must come across ones who are. The chill factor is all that much more real as you realize there is a touch of truth to this fiction. Definitely a must read.
May 4, 2017
OK this one was a bit of a miss for me. Too much of the story seemed to focus on the differences between sociopaths / psychopaths, which for book 8 in the series was not needed, and it got bogged down with textbook type jargon like epinephrine and norepinephrine… my eyes glazed over reading these sections. On a positive note I enjoyed the cases and the multiple story-lines were wrapped up decently.
March 31, 2018
Wow! Such a young killer but still immature in handling choices. This book went fast. Between trying to find out who was spreading the plague and who killed many teens, Ace was busy. Not to mention recovering from brain surgery and continued attacks from other killers. I love this series and will not be happy to see it end.
April 10, 2019
Battered Dreams (Dreams & Reality Series Book 8) by Hadena Jamesd
I love all of these books and find them very informative. They play out with gifted characters and an interesting story line. Each book has a different type of story to tell and how the main charecters work together to solve the puzzle. The stories are unique because the main charecters are fractured people.
I love all of these books and find them very informative. They play out with gifted characters and an interesting story line. Each book has a different type of story to tell and how the main charecters work together to solve the puzzle. The stories are unique because the main charecters are fractured people.
May 21, 2019
Hadena James is back on her game.
After reading the last book in her series and being a little disappointed with that particular book I think she is back on her game with "Battered Dreams" It was faster paced and back in line with the previous novels I've read in this series. Getting ready to purchase the next one in her "Dreams & Reality" Series.
After reading the last book in her series and being a little disappointed with that particular book I think she is back on her game with "Battered Dreams" It was faster paced and back in line with the previous novels I've read in this series. Getting ready to purchase the next one in her "Dreams & Reality" Series.
August 6, 2018
This book didn’t have much of a thrill to it, but did give you more insight to Aislinn herself. The book was honestly over before I realized it. I kept waiting for the build up and it never happened. I was at the end but thinking it was only the middle.
April 10, 2019
Wow
So much going on I this book your head will spin. Non stop action , crazy killers . Enough detail but not over whelming , I had read 6 of these books and I want more. They move on the who did it, how they going they going to get them and who going to live.
So much going on I this book your head will spin. Non stop action , crazy killers . Enough detail but not over whelming , I had read 6 of these books and I want more. They move on the who did it, how they going they going to get them and who going to live.
February 28, 2019
I just can't get enough of this series!!! Just love how fast they read. Always a page turner!
February 19, 2024
4.5/5 ★
July 25, 2025
I discovered this series years back when I bought my very first Kindle White(yeah... THAT long ago) and I was reading a whole bunch of free books. Despite the fact that it wasn't my usual preferred genre and that most of the free kindle books I read were obviously free for a reason, this caught and held my attention from the very first book in the series.
The entire concept was fascinating and original and I fell in love with Aislinn immediately. Granted, the writing felt a bit like the Author was a novice, especially in the first couple books BUT it didn't interfere with my interest and you can feel the Author's confidence and growth progress with each new book. I have long since read the whole series and am just now revisiting it on Audio as a few are now available in the new format.
I read SO MANY books every year that I rarely am able to recall details of a specific plot and I can count on one hand how many times I have revisited a book for a second read, but over a decade later I was still keeping my eyes peeled for these books to come out on Audio. Definitely recommend to check this series out
The entire concept was fascinating and original and I fell in love with Aislinn immediately. Granted, the writing felt a bit like the Author was a novice, especially in the first couple books BUT it didn't interfere with my interest and you can feel the Author's confidence and growth progress with each new book. I have long since read the whole series and am just now revisiting it on Audio as a few are now available in the new format.
I read SO MANY books every year that I rarely am able to recall details of a specific plot and I can count on one hand how many times I have revisited a book for a second read, but over a decade later I was still keeping my eyes peeled for these books to come out on Audio. Definitely recommend to check this series out
June 11, 2016
Love this series. So unique! I have enjoyed each book in this series but was not too enthused or interested in the subplot about the plague. Loved the way the author let us in the mind of the killer. Would have given 5 stars but felt the ending was rushed and very anticlimactic. The series is also interesting to me because of the location since I also live in Missouri. I will continue reading this series and recommend it to anyone looking for a unique storyline.
July 18, 2020
aislinn had a tumor removed and is finally back to work. she realizes their current serial killer is a psychopathic teenager. then, she's called in when someone unleashes a horde of bubonic plague infested rats into a large city. the ending is a bit unbelievable. Re-read again in 2020. Still interesting g.
June 17, 2015
Best installment yet!
Hadena James warns readers that this book is "her most goriest book to date" and she doesn't pull any punches. It immediately starts out with a horrific scene and only gets better!
Hadena James warns readers that this book is "her most goriest book to date" and she doesn't pull any punches. It immediately starts out with a horrific scene and only gets better!
January 24, 2017
Awesome!!!!
Another great book by Hadena James. I was a little discourage that her build up to the bubonic plague did not go further. However I understand the difficulty to her storyline this may have caused. Looking forward to starting the next one.
Another great book by Hadena James. I was a little discourage that her build up to the bubonic plague did not go further. However I understand the difficulty to her storyline this may have caused. Looking forward to starting the next one.
June 9, 2015
Great read as always
Ms. James has done it again, I couldn't put this book down until the very end. Thanks for a captivating read!
Ms. James has done it again, I couldn't put this book down until the very end. Thanks for a captivating read!
June 15, 2015
Felt rushed and the ending seemed a bit too convenient.
September 3, 2015
This series totally captivated me. The end was quite unexpected. I thought part of it is going to develop into the next book. An excellent read nonetheless!
August 20, 2015
a little addicted to this series, I read 1-8 in the last few days, can't wait for next month, have number 9 on pre-order, excellent books......
September 14, 2015
I enjoyed the story although I did find it a bit anti-climatic. but then again the main character seemed to as well.
July 22, 2021
Awesome read. Can't wait for the next one.
June 18, 2015
Read this series as fast as possible and can not wait for the next book
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews