The Dark Dream

by Kaye Dobbie, Lilly Sommers

Originally published in 1997 under the pseudonym Lilly Sommers

A sweeping tale of passion and survival from the Victorian goldfields to the dark heart of Sydney Town.

Winter 1852. Adam has just returned from the Californian goldfields and is heading for Bendigo in Victoria, the new El Dorado. He comes across Ella, injured, penniless and with only the clothes she is wearing. Adam is the son of a convict with the determination and intelligence to ‘better’ himself. Despite her current circumstances, it is obvious to him that Ella is a lady, and although Adam might believe himself as good as any man, the class divide remains.

When Ella wakes beside an isolated lagoon, all she can remember are frightening and tantalizing pieces of a dream. Even her name isn’t her own, but one given to her by Adam, who has agreed to her travelling with him while she struggles to discover the truth. As the days go by, and their journey northwards continues, Ella learns to adjust to the harsh realities of her new life and grows to like and admire her unlikely companion.

Ella and Adam must find their way through old dangers and newfound love, to confront the shocking truth. A truth that will change their future forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance

488 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Kaye Dobbie lives in an old house in the old gold rush town Bendigo, in the state of Victoria, Australia. She has been writing professionally ever since she won the Big River short story contest at the age of eighteen. Her career has undergone many changes, including writing Australian historical fiction under the name Lilly Sommers, to romance written as Sara Bennett/Sara Mackenzie and published by Avon in the USA. Her books have been translated into many languages. She is currently writing under her 'proper' name, Kaye Dobbie, and is published by Harlequin Mira in Australia and Weltbild in Germany. Kaye lives on the central Victorian goldfields, where she creates her stories and in her spare time researches her family tree.

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in early Australia. Has a gothic feel to it.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars


Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Narrated by Casey Withoos
Duration: 15 hrs, 3 min. 1.50x Speed

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian historical romance. A woman is discovered near a lagoon, injured and lost her memory. Adam agrees to take her with him to the goldfields to see if the authorities can help. Adam calls her Ella, who even with her memory loss can tell she is a lady. We follow Ella's life on the goldfields as her relationship deepens with Adam and we gradually discover how she came to be by the lagoon. Can Adam and Ella have a life together? A story full of adventure and romance.

[Teesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at my aunt's house hiding on her bookshelf. I was 13 at the time and this book is what got me into romance novels. I couldn't put it down. It was my own little secret book 😅 the adventure, mystery and electric attraction the two leads truly take you on a crazy adventure. And my god the cliffhanger I did not see that coming.

[Kathy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re read this book every now and then. This book has romance, mystery, and fighting. I just love it, fighting as in mc and fc running from people, and mc having to fight off people. I won't say who!! Other books are ok from this author but this one hits all the spots for me

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great story...really enjoyed until the end. Was a lttle disappointed.

[Kristy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, hard to put down, and what an ending!!

[Susanna Chin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not riveting. I felt it dragged on a bit too much.

[Marion Lysek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good,Im going to read more of her books, Very hard to put it down,held me to the last page.
She also wrote The glass House and The bond

[Icegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book...interesting till the end

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

keeper

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't find this book quite as good as some of her others but still enjoyed it.

[Jo :: The Country Book Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story read this when it was published under her other name

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars really. Was not expecting the ending, oh my gosh.