Once In A Big Dream

The Harrisons #0.5

by Alexa Bloom

A prison sentence he didn't deserve, the love of his life lost forever... Find out where it all began....In this gripping prequel to The Harrisons, Joe and Rose's story will have your fingers flipping the pages like lightning as their passionate story unfolds. BOOK After 5 long years inside, Joe Harrison is finally about to taste the freedom he's been dreaming about for so long, except that the outside world doesn't exactly look kindly on ex-cons. In fact if it wasn't for his childhood friend, Buddy, he'd probably be sleeping on the streets by now. Instead, he's working at famous track Keeneland, shovelling hay from dawn to dusk and just trying to stay out of trouble. But when a student photography group shows up at the track one day, trouble finds him in the form of gorgeous budding photographer, Rose Parmenter. The chance encounter sends his life skittering in a new direction that neither one of them could have imagined, but even as they dream of what could be, the shadows of Joe's violent childhood are about to explode into their lives with savage fury. Rose Parmenter's perfectly ordered life is bubbling along very nicely. Except for the fact that she hates her mother's endless snobby society lunches, she'd rather be a photographer than an accountant and she doesn't love her successful businessman fiancé, Geoffrey. In fact, if it hadn't been for the death-bed promise she'd made his sister Beccy, she probably wouldn't even be in this situation. But despite it all, she's determined to make it work and see through the promise she made to her beloved best friend. If only Joe Harrison hadn't turned up on her horizon and turned her whole world upside down. Joe's exciting and romantic in every way that Geoffrey isn't, and for the first time in her cosseted little life, Rose is really living. Her growing awakening convinces her that Joe might just be worth risking everything for, but when he confesses that he doesn't love her, his heart-crushing revelation seals her fate with Geoffrey. That is, until the final explosive climax where Rose is forced to confront the ultimate dilemma between love and duty. Once In A Big Dream is the gripping prequel to The Harrisons. While it can be read as a stand-alone story, you'll likely enjoy the other books of The Harrison The Harrisons #0 Once In A Big Dream (Prequel) #1 Once In A Blue Kentucky Moon #2 Once In A New York Minute #3 Once In A Nashville Night #4 Once In A Cape Cod Summer

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Contemporary

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2017

About the author

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THE HARRISONS PREQUEL: ONCE IN A BIG DREAM

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Author bio:
Alexa Bloom is the first to admit that it took her a long time to figure out what she was supposed to do with her life. Having worked in a multitude of jobs from teacher to voice-over artist and everything in between, it took a change of country (Australia to Canada), a couple of children and several years for writing to find her, so she could finally stop looking.

Her first contemporary romance series The Harrisons, follows the fortunes of seven siblings raised in a charming thoroughbred farm in the heart of Kentucky. While the series begins at Lockwood Farm, each story features a different sibling and takes readers on a new adventure in a different exotic setting.

Reviews

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

short sweet and well written. The characters are engaging - not to over described. The simplicity of the story is clear in how short the whole thing is but it is a good coherent thread and easy reading. Will definitely be reading more by the author, not sure I want to know too much more about these individuals - I liked Joe but was a bit bored by Rose

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rose and Joe's story is very sweet. I can't believe she didn't realise sooner that Geoffrey and Trudy were lying to her.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/08/2017)! 💝

[Brandi Sartin lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book you get to meet Joe and Rose and you learn how they met and fell in love. I am glad that Joe didn't wait around and that he went to Rose on her wedding day and that it came out what a slime ball her fiancé was.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

ONCE IN A DREAM prequel to "Harrison" by Alexa Bloom. 5 years, now out, things have changed and people don't except him. Thankfully his friend Buddy befriended him or he'd be on the street. His job at a famous horse farm shoveling hay from dawn to dusk. Changed when a student photographer named Rose came. She was society couldn't have anything to do with her but he could dream. She made a promise, so if not love for her fiancé she'd be fulfilling a duty. She is drawn to Joe, his kindness, but when he said no, that sealed her fate, or can she change his mind.
Interesting reading, of how love can change how one looks at things.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Joe Harrison gets out of prison after serving five years for a crime he didn't commit, unlike other ex-cons he is picked up by his best friend a local cop, who believes in him. Joe wants to work with horses and Kentucky is a good place to find a job at the race track but he has big dreams.

Rose Parmenter is at the stable with a photography class when she sees Joe working and takes some shots of him. When she returns home she finds out that the stable manager has stolen the family truck, some tack and disappeared and they needed a new stable manager.

Joe seems perfect for the position and through her manipulations she gets him the job. Although she is supposed to marry her late best friend's brother, she can't stop her strong attraction to Joe.

Joe's past has a way of catching up with him and he helps the police find his father after he put his mother in the hospital and he decides that he needs to go after what he wants including Rose. Once In a Big Dream is full of setbacks, romance, a love of horses, and working toward a dream. I enjoyed how the characters worked through obstacles and problems to find a harem in the hills of Kentucky.

[Penny Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of the Harrison’s stories is a great way to read some of their stories. Once in a Big Dream is the prequel story and the one I am reviewing today.
Joe had been in prison for assaulting his father and just gotten out. He was working in a horse stable when Rose met him. She talked him into applying to her father for a job. The story takes off from here. The story has drama, demons from the past, promises made to a dying friend, and love. Will Joe be able to shake his past? Will Rose make the right decision about her life? Will they get to have a happy ending? Grab this book and get set for a nice read. I loved all the stories but this is the first in the book. The other two stories in this book are Once in a Blue Kentucky Moon and Once in a New York Minute. You’ll love these too.
Alexa always gets your attentions right at the beginning with her plot. She integrates her two dimensional characters into the plot seamlessly. I love her books for this reason. I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to a series but a great standalone short story. I do believe that this is the first book I've read by Alexa Bloom and I will be reading more. This book can be a bit confusing but I believe you will enjoy it.  This is Joe and Rose's story.
Joe  out of jail for beating up his father gets a job mucking stalls at a famous horse farm. He meets a  student photographer named Rose.
Rose likes Joe but he said no to her.  Can she change his mind?
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Alexa Bloom. It's a the prequel to "The Harrisons" although this is a short story it is well written and easy to read. Joe Harrison comes from a troubled background and has spent some time in prison for beating up his dad. When released,he finds a job working in the stables on a famous horse farm. Here he meets the owners daughter Rose, do opposites attract? They have a few obstacles in the way, do they find their HEA? pick up a copy today, you will not be let down.I will defiantly purchase the rest of the series.This had me laughing and some parts it was sad overall an excellent read.

[Mary Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟

This is a very enjoyable book. After years of abuse at his father's hands and standing by helplessly watching his mother taking beating after beating Joe cannot hold himself back after walking in and finding his father kicking his unconscious wife.
I like romance novels that feature real issues that plague our society and ham fisted abusers are one of the worse! I also appreciate reading novels that are not full of swearing. The explicit sexual scenes are not to my liking, however, and I did skip over them.

[Ferbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story

Goes to show that going to prison don't have to dictate how the rest of you life turns out. Joe's dad is such a wicked man to send is own son to prison for defending his mother from his cruel violence toward her, as if that wasn't enough, he violated her some more and left her for dead. Now he will be where he sent his innocent son. He will be getting exactly what he deserves, Joe is now happy with his lovely wife to be and his mum is ok and free from the monster.

[Meg Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read any books by Alexa Bloom, but was hoping to find another "big family" contemporary romance series since I really enjoy the Sullivans series by Bella Andre. While the story had potential I just wasn't engaged - the writing was very simple and I didn't feel that the characters were particularly developed. Fairly predictable plot. Perhaps if I'd read other books first I'd be more interested, but I think I'll be passing on this series.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a Giveaways promotion and loved it!! It's been a long time since I've read a book with a sweet little story that flowed quickly. I would definitely read this author again. After the first chapter I said to myself "I'm gonna like this book". I loved the dynamics of all of the characters and their individual side stories. This would make a great Hallmark movie.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

😄

Imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, besides saving his mother from a horrible father. Admitting that much he willingly would do anything to help her. Now he’s out and here to set his life straight but make sure that man will never touch his mother again. But can he have a life he didn’t think he would ever have?

[Kristin]

I did like this book, altho is not the "real" book if you know what i mean.. so it was much faster and shorter.. but still pretty nice and little bit predictable (on the Trudy side). In the end it was interesting book but sadly i started it while a go and it just laid there to wait for me quite some time but if i finally start reading again i finished it with one take

[Fred Hertog · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much to believe so innocent

Not the best story. I had it figured out until the end where a new story began. Did not know it was a continuation of the story I was reading. Very confusing as I thought I was reading the wrong book. Not a recommendation from me.

[Patricia Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. A great love story where opposites attract and honesty & loyalty are tested. Joe & Rose have such great chemistry together. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in this series.

[susan feder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly frothy fun

Total beach read. Love, friendship, adversity and love conquers all. Plus big dreams that get realized and happiness all around for the two hero’s. Everyone else? Not so much. ❤️

[norah thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book I took a. Long time to read it but I got to grilled with it not a lot of excitement but a good read never the less


A holiday book nothing to exciting so it's just ideal to scan through it while relaxing I quite enjoyed it

[Donna Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for a great book that is short and sweet.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review

Good story. When I was reading this story I kept wondering if I was missing something. Pieces of a puzzle scattered.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Alexa's book Once In A Big Dream. Great read!

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick easy read

Overly simple Plot moves quickly. Would have liked more character development. More internal conflict as the two main characters make big life decisions.

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This is a very good book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters and the story are truly believable.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story to read

Kept me wanting more and dying to get to the end. Only downside ... Alexa needs more proofreaders. So many mistakes. Doesn’t help it be legit. Cheap seeming.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once In a Big Dream

I am in love with this book. And I loved what the second book was going to be about. Kathleen Ryan FC

[Rika Montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW

This was a lovely story. The only reason I do not give it five stars is because it hurts my sole every time God's name is used in vain.

[Jen Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover was the best part

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and that’s true here. The book read as if written by a teenager.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly fast paced opposites attract short read between an owner’s daughter and his stable manager

Once in a big dream is a fairly fast paced opposites attract short read between an owner’s daughter and his stable manager, the two being from opposite backgrounds of rich vs poor/working class and the fact she is engaged at present to someone else preventing them from exploring their attraction and growing feelings. The books, as with the other two books in this series, is told from dual point of view and can be read as a true standalone.

The book is packed full of tension and family drama, especially for Joe. However, despite the issues, there is a good chemistry between the two, although it’s somewhat limited given the circumstances surrounding them, therefore limiting some of the development of the relationship between the two before they get to a HEA.

Overall, this is a fairly light read that can easily be read in a couple of hours and is definitely one for anyone who loves a horse theme mixed into a romance.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Lisa Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book

Rose Paramenter is engaged to Geoffrey due to a death bed promise to her friend. Joe Harrison has been in prison for 5 years, he has a job as a stable hand at Keeneland Racing Stables. Rose stumbles across Joe when her photography class is at Keeneland learning to take motion pictures. Rose is attracted to Joe, when her father’s Ranch Manager disappears she gets him an interview with her father. Joe is offered the job. Rose and Joe get close. With family drama and the promise do Rose and Joe get their HEA?