Rhino Dreams

by Carolyn Waggoner, Kathryn Williams

Clare Rainbow-Dashell, the only child of delightfully eccentric, wealthy hippies, has just taken a hiatus from her career as an acclaimed wildlife photographer and returned to California to pursue her academic dreams when a disastrous affair with a professor catapults her to another continent: Africa. There, she immerses herself in well-paid commercial work for a luxury safari lodge as she seeks to regain her emotional and financial self-reliance. All this, however, is complicated by her relationship with her charismatic, imperious employer and her undeniable attraction to a leading black rhino specialist—two men who are at war over both environmental politics and Clare herself.

Set against the formidable backdrop of the Namib Desert, Rhino Dreams dramatizes the crisis of endangered species preservation and the horrors of poaching, interweaving this very real ecological darkness with the internal and external battles of three characters driven by fierce passions and divided notions of duty, ambition, and desire. It is a sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant ride—and, in the end, a testimony to how tenuous and precious both life and love can be.

Genres: Africa, Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2022

Reviews

[Bev]

When I read on Facebook that Carolyn Waggoner, who is a long-time acquaintance, had published a book, I had to get it right away. The beginning of this book reads like Part 2 of "Eye of the Elephant," only 20-30 years later. Clare Rainbow-Dashell, a professional photographer, lands in Namibia, hired by a luxury safari lodge to take pictures of the wild animals for their brochure. The head of the lodge is in constant disagreement with Eric, a rhino specialist who is working to protect rhinos (and other animals) from poachers. A terrible thing happening to one of the rhinos results in Clare moving to Eric's program, which causes trouble with the luxury lodge

The first part of this books reads like a study on African animals and their dangers from poachers, while the last part is more of a developing romance without as much about animals.

Still, the whole book was totally entertaining and I read it in one day.

[Suzanne]

Rhino Dreams is a solid romance with a hot hero, lots of wild animals, and a great setting.

[Nancy]

I was expecting more: too much romance and such for my taste.
Others might like that. It bores me.

[Gaylene Stevens]

This was a very enjoyable read. It is a romance set in Namibia that delves into the complexities of attempts to save the rhinoceros from extinction. The role of ecotourism is evenly examined: from its effects not only conservation of animals, the money it brings into the local economy to the negative consequences on the culture and traditions of the indigenous people. The reader is left to decide whether it is ultimately beneficial, and who it actually benefits. Poaching, driven by the continuous demand for rhino horns by the cultures, is key to much of the plot. The main characters are well developed. Eric is a researcher with a passion/borderline obsession to protect the rhinos of Namibia. The reasons for Clare’s very conflicted nature are gradually revealed throughout the novel. The plot keeps you turning the pages by including dangers inherent to wild Africa, especially to unversed and unprepared Americans. If you like learning something along with a light romance you will enjoy Rhino Dreams.

[Maren Cooper]

An escape into a new landscape and away from a failed relationship affords Clare, a talented wildlife photographer the distance in time and space to clear her mind and consider a do-over for her life plan—or so she expects.
But, Clare finds herself falling in love with the Namib Desert and its desolation as well as the romantically aloof but deadly handsome rhino specialist locked in a frightful philosophical battle with her arrogant employer at the high-end resort which has hired her to capture wildlife photos of rare animals that she comes to believe need the freedom and protection that a growing tourist population threatens.
Things get complicated when the relationships heat up, and Clare nearly loses all—however this romance doesn’t disappoint, and is complemented by the humorous antics of interesting characters with conflicting personalities to keep the book interesting!

[Susan Speranza]

When Clare, a young, beautiful wildlife photographer takes an assignment in Africa to reclaim herself after a devastating breakup, she meets Eric, a handsome, intense biologist whose sole obsession is saving the Black Rhino from extinction. Set amid the backdrop of the seductively pristine but unforgiving Namibian desert, this exciting romance and page turning adventure has a cast of characters you will definitely root for.

[Michelle Wilson]

This is a great book. I read it over one weekend and loved every minute of it. The setting and characters helped me feel as if I was on a vacation in a beautiful world, and the storyline made me think about issues related to ecotourism, relationships, and decisions we all have to make at different times in our lives. I highly recommend this book!
~ Michelle St. Romain Wilson, co-author of Water's Edge and Promised Fruit

[Laurie Buchanan]

“Perfect pace, elegance, and empathy intersect at the heart of this page-turning African adventure. As romance blooms in the Namib desert, readers also get an illuminating look at the people and wildlife who inhabit this landscape as it springs to life in vivid color from the entertaining pages.” —Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson novels

[November Hebert-Rose]

This book was amazing. The level of detail and obvious research and effort put into this reminded me of Jodi Picoult (who I absolutely adore for the research efforts). I admired the depth of the characters invested in conservation efforts of the rhino. The scenes were painted so brilliantly and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

[Cleann McGuire]

Loved, loved, loved this book! Grabbed my imagination and interest from the first page. Carolyn and Kathryn captured the beauty and destruction of the Rhinos and Africa with stunning, inspiring detail. Did not want the story to end. Amid the chaos of our current wold events, thoroughly enjoyed the escape of this book and a love-filled ending!

[Leslie Nack]

My dream now, after reading RHINO DREAMS, is to go to Namibia and see the Black Rhinos. Then again, maybe I’ll stay home and support these wildly persecuted animals from home by giving to a charity that is already in place. I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s well written, authentic, and paced well.

[Francine]

Well-written, but as others have mentioned, too much romance for me and also I was uncomfortable with some of the characters in a way that had me ask, "Did we really need this? Did this improve the story?" I thought the heroine could have made much better choices and this made the book feel shallow in some repects.

[Natalie Veech]

3.5

This was a very cute story, but the characters and their decisions felt like they lacked some emotional depth and the ending felt very rushed. We don't find out what happens to the main antagonist, and the main turning point decision just feels very thrown together.

Nonetheless the premise of this is great!

[Rach3l]

This was a great read. I loved the characters especially Flossie and Elvis. It had a great setting which was so different from books I normally read. Overall it was an amazing read. Definitely recommend

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Gail Storti]

From the African plains of Namibia comes this romantic story of saving the Rhinos intertwined with love and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written novel and learning about the lives of a research team as they work to save an endangered species, the almighty Rhino!

[Judy]

This was a fun and educational read, loved the scene descriptions, the warmth of the baby rhino and all rhinos at risk….and of course a love story about beautiful people finding each other.

[Curt Tuffin]

A good quick read with good writing.

[Jean Cable]

Enjoyed this book and makes one think about tourism and it’s impacts, both positive and negative.

[Jody Hadlock]

After reading an ARC of this novel, I want to go to Africa. Rhino Dreams has adventure, romance, and danger, set in the unforgiving (and gorgeously described) landscape of the Namib Desert. A great read.

[Marcia Van]

Adventure AND romance!! Namibia comes to life with thrilling descriptions which helped me feel like I was in the middle of the action. Some terrifying parts-will they survive encounters with the local inhabitants? And a satisfying ending to wrap it all up! Great story!!

[Rebekah]

I'm sorry about only giving 3 stars! But I have to be honest.

I felt the African characters were less dynamic than I think they deserved. Eric was a bit up himself, like one of those softboys that are subtly unattractive to women with standards. Clare was not as spicy as I would've expected for a strong independent woman, quick to beat herself up for daring to step a toe out of line. And I was really uncomfortable with how the abusive Daniel was described, like the writer found rapey-ness a turn-on. YOIKES.

Frankly, I just liked Flossie and Elvis.

I also had a soft spot for Stacey, who was left to suffer the prejudice of the researchers, which went on unquestioned for quite a while before she was allowed to show that she had some strengths after all. She overcame a whole phobia but it's downplayed because she's a spoiled rich girl—do you know how hard it is for a spoiled rich girl to adapt like that? Y'all did my girl dirty just because her parents and their friend threw her under the Eric bus.

[Susan Van]

A fun transportive adventure! It had engaging characters, romance, drama, danger, beautifully depicted Namibian landscapes and a cute, farting baby rhino!! A thoroughly entertaining read!