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Dreams and Reality #9
Belladonna Dreams
Poisoning is the preference of most female serial killers and Sioux Falls, South Dakota has a poisoner on their hands. The killer’s choice, belladonna, a rare flower in the United States. The use of it is nearly unheard of.
Then a chance encounter; a hand gesture, the laugh, Aislinn Cain knows it’s him. Her old foe has returned to torment her. The rest of the SCTU is worried her brain tumor has returned, because it’s impossible.
As Aislinn falls further down the rabbit hole, chasing phantoms, the team tries to pull it together to find their poisoner. However, Aislinn isn’t the only one chasing phantoms, as belladonna brings back nightmares for another member of the SCTU and will leave them questioning their decision to work with serial killers. Then someone attacks the VCU, further hindering the investigation.
Amid the mass deaths, the SCTU must decide between tacking down the person poisoning bar patrons in South Dakota or getting revenge for their fallen serial killer hunters. Finding this killer will bring more questions than answers, it will open old wounds, and force everyone to rethink what they know about serial killers.
Then a chance encounter; a hand gesture, the laugh, Aislinn Cain knows it’s him. Her old foe has returned to torment her. The rest of the SCTU is worried her brain tumor has returned, because it’s impossible.
As Aislinn falls further down the rabbit hole, chasing phantoms, the team tries to pull it together to find their poisoner. However, Aislinn isn’t the only one chasing phantoms, as belladonna brings back nightmares for another member of the SCTU and will leave them questioning their decision to work with serial killers. Then someone attacks the VCU, further hindering the investigation.
Amid the mass deaths, the SCTU must decide between tacking down the person poisoning bar patrons in South Dakota or getting revenge for their fallen serial killer hunters. Finding this killer will bring more questions than answers, it will open old wounds, and force everyone to rethink what they know about serial killers.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2015
35 people are currently reading
143 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 3, 2020
3.5 stars. I was just mildly disappointed with this one. There seemed to be too many serial killers! Yes you read it right, too many.
The story was going well as the SCTU was called to South Dakota to investigate the inexplicable deaths of five young women who had been out to a nightclub together. The murder weapon appeared to be poison - belladonna to be precise. But there were anomalies, other strange murders, a series of four deaths 10 years ago. They seemed to be related but there was nothing actually tying them together. Still, the same names kept cropping up.
And all of a sudden there were killers crawling out of the woodwork. I struggled with the familial relationships in this serial killer family. I didn’t think it was clear enough in the book. Still, a good story and it’s good to get more backstory of the major characters.
The story was going well as the SCTU was called to South Dakota to investigate the inexplicable deaths of five young women who had been out to a nightclub together. The murder weapon appeared to be poison - belladonna to be precise. But there were anomalies, other strange murders, a series of four deaths 10 years ago. They seemed to be related but there was nothing actually tying them together. Still, the same names kept cropping up.
And all of a sudden there were killers crawling out of the woodwork. I struggled with the familial relationships in this serial killer family. I didn’t think it was clear enough in the book. Still, a good story and it’s good to get more backstory of the major characters.
May 18, 2021
** Reread May 2021 **
This one had my heart pounding!!
This book ROCKS!! I feel Aislinn has come full circle - she's a great mix of the old & the new Ace.
This novel's plotline & writing flowed a lot better than her previous one, & although there were a lot of different subplots they came together at the end fairly neatly.
Sooo didn't see the hand Patterson played in this saga coming at all - he really is an evil, manipulative bastard.
The only problem I have now is that there is only one more book to read. I hope more are written!
This one had my heart pounding!!
This book ROCKS!! I feel Aislinn has come full circle - she's a great mix of the old & the new Ace.
This novel's plotline & writing flowed a lot better than her previous one, & although there were a lot of different subplots they came together at the end fairly neatly.
Sooo didn't see the hand Patterson played in this saga coming at all - he really is an evil, manipulative bastard.
The only problem I have now is that there is only one more book to read. I hope more are written!
October 3, 2023
I've enjoyed this series. The psychological science alone is incredibly interesting. Hadena does a great job with research... not such a great job with grammar editing. There are multiple mistakes throughout the book that would make an English teacher cringe.
However, I would rather read a good story with a few errors, than a crap story Mrs. Miller would've given an A for comma placement.
However, I would rather read a good story with a few errors, than a crap story Mrs. Miller would've given an A for comma placement.
November 14, 2015
Not One of Her Best
I was really looking forward to reading another great book by Hadena James. I have read previous books by this author and just loved them. This book, however, was somewhat of a disappointment for me. There were parts that seemed to drag on a little too long. At times, the story was hard to follow. I had to push myself to finish it. Just not one of her best in my opinion.
I was really looking forward to reading another great book by Hadena James. I have read previous books by this author and just loved them. This book, however, was somewhat of a disappointment for me. There were parts that seemed to drag on a little too long. At times, the story was hard to follow. I had to push myself to finish it. Just not one of her best in my opinion.
August 21, 2017
Enjoyed it.. When i figured out what i was reading
The plot felt fuzzy, and I had trouble keeping track of the characters. I felt like the author expected us to already know who the victims were as if they had been introduced prior. I actually went back and started over, sure I had missed something. Still looking toward to the next installment which I plan to start tonight.
The plot felt fuzzy, and I had trouble keeping track of the characters. I felt like the author expected us to already know who the victims were as if they had been introduced prior. I actually went back and started over, sure I had missed something. Still looking toward to the next installment which I plan to start tonight.
April 4, 2018
A really great read! As usual, Hadena James is able to write about new adventures and discovery for Ace. She finds out more about her “hybrid self” and how it is ok to feel emotions, however that is for her. I’m getting closer to,the end of the series and I don’t know if I’m ready. I feel so close to this character and these novels bring up a lot of questions regarding personality disorders.
June 16, 2019
Not my favorite of the 9 I've read but I still enjoyed it.
I blew thru the first 6 or 7 novels but slowed down on the last couple. I still plan to finish the series as most of them have been hard to put down once started. Be sure if you are looking to start reading her novels that you start with the first book as the newer books often refer to parts of previous stories.
I blew thru the first 6 or 7 novels but slowed down on the last couple. I still plan to finish the series as most of them have been hard to put down once started. Be sure if you are looking to start reading her novels that you start with the first book as the newer books often refer to parts of previous stories.
March 22, 2021
More enjoyable than the last in the series but I can’t help but feel like things are getting more complicated than they need to be.
I liked hearing about the new member of the team and more about her history, overall I’m still enjoying the series though it does feel like the author is starting to struggle for storylines 🤷🏻♀️
I liked hearing about the new member of the team and more about her history, overall I’m still enjoying the series though it does feel like the author is starting to struggle for storylines 🤷🏻♀️
December 17, 2023
views at different levels
I liked book ok fine. It took me a long time to read it. Cuz it so long to read it I had hard time getting into it. I liked the gore I don’t know anybody that I would recommend this book to. I didn’t dislike the book but have read better books Hadena has written
I liked book ok fine. It took me a long time to read it. Cuz it so long to read it I had hard time getting into it. I liked the gore I don’t know anybody that I would recommend this book to. I didn’t dislike the book but have read better books Hadena has written
September 20, 2017
Still enjoying the series!
October 23, 2017
And Again
Hadena James never fails to deliver. Second time round reading this series and I still can't put them down. I challenge anyone to not enjoy reading these books
Hadena James never fails to deliver. Second time round reading this series and I still can't put them down. I challenge anyone to not enjoy reading these books
March 20, 2019
So glad I started this series! Just can’t get enough! Always a page turner!
April 6, 2019
Fab
Aces thoughts about an agent from the past are brought in to question and the team takes another blow putting malakai out of action. Another amazing story
Aces thoughts about an agent from the past are brought in to question and the team takes another blow putting malakai out of action. Another amazing story
April 11, 2019
Great book and series
You can't put these books down and someone turn them into a tv show. Murder , mayhem , whodunit and conspiracy. I mean can it get any better .
You can't put these books down and someone turn them into a tv show. Murder , mayhem , whodunit and conspiracy. I mean can it get any better .
September 25, 2015
Another win for Hadena James!
First I have to admit that I love the Dreams and Reality Series by Hadena James and once I start one of her books I read it straight through, devouring every word usually in one sitting, definitely within a day. When Belladonna Dreams, book 9 was released earlier this month, I held off reading it so that I could hope to savor it when I did read it and hope to tide myself over until her next book is released.
That didn't happen- I devoured it. I loved this book from the first page - I loved the storyline, the new character development between Aislinn and Fiona. I thank Hadena for not leaving us with a "killer" cliffhanger ending like she has in books past but she still managed to leave readers waiting with anticipation for her next installment.
For anyone looking for something engaging to read, pick up this book. But you should probably read the whole series, starting from the beginning- you won't be disappointed.
First I have to admit that I love the Dreams and Reality Series by Hadena James and once I start one of her books I read it straight through, devouring every word usually in one sitting, definitely within a day. When Belladonna Dreams, book 9 was released earlier this month, I held off reading it so that I could hope to savor it when I did read it and hope to tide myself over until her next book is released.
That didn't happen- I devoured it. I loved this book from the first page - I loved the storyline, the new character development between Aislinn and Fiona. I thank Hadena for not leaving us with a "killer" cliffhanger ending like she has in books past but she still managed to leave readers waiting with anticipation for her next installment.
For anyone looking for something engaging to read, pick up this book. But you should probably read the whole series, starting from the beginning- you won't be disappointed.
July 18, 2020
a sociopath fights on the side of law and order. her previous and creepy supervisor makes a reappearance and comes close to killing her...but fails. he's become a serial killer thanks to his sister who is also a serial.killer. she's killed but he gets sent to the same prison where her grandfather and brother are serving their life sentences. there's some doubt as to his survival there. this series is strangely addictive..and mesmerizing. Re-read in august, 2017. Still addictive. Re-read again in 2020. Patterson strikes again! Still a great story!
March 16, 2016
Very surprising!
This is the first book of Hadena's that I've had a problem with. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it but I found myself lost at times. There were references to people that had me bewildered as to what they could possibly have to do with the story. Alejandro was a blast from the past who I failed to remember at all. He was in book 1 and hadn't been mentioned since. Took my feeble brain time to register exactly who he was.
This book was definitely not my favorite. But who can pass up a Dreams & Reality book in a fabulous series? Not me...
This is the first book of Hadena's that I've had a problem with. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it but I found myself lost at times. There were references to people that had me bewildered as to what they could possibly have to do with the story. Alejandro was a blast from the past who I failed to remember at all. He was in book 1 and hadn't been mentioned since. Took my feeble brain time to register exactly who he was.
This book was definitely not my favorite. But who can pass up a Dreams & Reality book in a fabulous series? Not me...
July 24, 2021
Can't get enough of this series. Love the characters, the premise, and it's a great way way to spend a couple hours de-stressing after a hellish day at work. Can't wait for the next book.
January 11, 2024
love This Series
I really love these books! Aislinn is so much fun and watching her interactions with the others, and her growth is awesome!
I really love these books! Aislinn is so much fun and watching her interactions with the others, and her growth is awesome!
March 29, 2017
Just OK
I have read every book in this series so far and while I kept turning pages this one just didn't have the same feel as the others. I felt that Aislynn spent too much time being cerebral. That's OK though. Its still been an awesome series sand I look forward to reading the next line.
I have read every book in this series so far and while I kept turning pages this one just didn't have the same feel as the others. I felt that Aislynn spent too much time being cerebral. That's OK though. Its still been an awesome series sand I look forward to reading the next line.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews