Dreaming of You

Graysons of New Mexico #3

by Francis Ray

Readers everywhere fell in love with the mesmerizing, unforgettable Grayson family and their loves. Now bestselling author Francis Ray spins another sexy, compelling romance featuring the Grayson clan…LURING A MAN INTO LOVE Successful Santa Fe hotelier, Faith McBride has loved Brandon Grayson since she was a wallflower in high school and he was her big brother's best friend. Now hard-bodied Brandon is running a trendy restaurant a stone's throw from Casa de Serenidad, her posh five-star hotel. When Faith looks at Brandon, she dreams of being his wife. So although it's risky and risqué, she's plotting a secret campaign to win his body, mind, and heart.MAY LEAD TO PASSION...OR HEARTBREAKWith his mother determined to marry him off, Brandon Grayson is on the alert for single females being thrown his way. He's even stopped dating, afraid of being trapped into a relationship. Surely nobody's safer to be around than sweet, familiar Faith. But celibacy is driving him crazy. For the first time he's noticing Faith's enticing lips and incredible curves. Suddenly it occurs to Brandon that an affair with the one woman he can trust would certainly be a no-strings-attached affair...

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, African American, Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2006

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

There has never been a book that i read to completion and counted each page, wishing the next page i turned to would be the final page...but alas there is this book. Oh my goodness, i was so bored! There are so many things that displeased me about this book, this couple, and Francis Ray's larger than life portrayal of the Grayson family, but i will restrain myself and only review this novel.

First, the characters were so exaggerated that i could not help rolling my eyes at the oozing cheesinesses that seeped from the pages. What man would be so opposed to marriage that he would stop dating and having sex, just because he is afraid of being trapped by a woman, his love scheming mother would want to get him hitched to? i mean as a grown man -- who is said to "never do something he didn't want to do (pg.197)" -- shouldn't he know that a woman was not right for him? even if his mother "picked" out both his older brothers wives? is his mother retarded enough to send a gold digger his way?

Love does not = marriage (contrary to romance novel logic). if Brandon's ultimate fear was being hitched, he should know that if a woman loved him she would wait till he were ready instead of demanding marriage, as soon as he declared his love. I don't know, to me most of the novel was contrived. Ray just wanted to complete a series of the younger generation Falcons and threw this together without thinking of how corny it seemed. She did not build the characters very well or give them substance (like she used to in other books.) i mean where is the example that being in love and marriage is a "downfall"? Ray went to extremes to write them all (the Grayson children) a perfect life. Others who were hitched in the series, she reiterates constantly, that they are happy. so why the fear in sierra and pierce as well?

The situations were unbelievable. Ray created unnecessary drama so that Brandon would just go knocking on Faith's door every night, dying to apologize because he was just such a "good, caring man" and his unwanted desire for Faith made him into a looser who just couldn't help hurting her feelings *rolls eyes, again* and all Faith saw in herself was an overweight woman who couldn't possible attract the one man on the face of the earth that every woman wanted "a Grayson" *rolls eyes, again, again*

Another thing, i couldn't help but grind my teeth at, was the crappy dialouge. there was no passion in this book. No author has ever succeeded in making me fall asleep during a sex scene but Ray gets the gold medal for dull & passionless. Ray did succeed in creating an unforgettable book, i will never forget how bored i was while reading this book. what happened to those complex characters with history and determination, and compassion. This is the worst Francis Ray book i have read to date, needless to say Pierce and sierra Grayson's books will not be on my list this year or any other year. I'm done with the graysons.

Sorry for this long review, just had to vent my disappointment. Two stars because due to my book reading OCD, once i started i had to finish. Plus grammar and punctuation were not bad.

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams Come True

Ruth Grayson is the mother of all mothers. How she picks the perfect matches for her children is uncanny. Thoroughly enjoyed the sweet romance between Brandon and Faith. Can't wait to see what's coming for Pierce and Sierra.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and truly love their mother and how she brings her children together with their spouses. I pray that at some point that she finds love again for herself, and can even imagine her children giving that man hell...LOL. Well on to the next one; Pierce's story.

[Page Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good read. Their whole little love story drug on for much longer than necessary, and I didn't like that she had to be so Angelic (for lack of a better word that won't give away a piece of the plot) at her age in order for her to be such a good catch for him.

[Just Read VI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the epitome of smooth romance. I love a good happily ever after and this was just that. Francis Ray never disappointments, this book was steamy, funny and altogether a great love story. If you love romance, this book is for you.

[A. Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Ms. Ray's books, but this one did not connect with me. I didn't feel any heat between the characters, nor did I want to see them together. Not sure what was different, maybe it just moved too slow. I liked each character individually. Maybe the next one will be better.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a slow burn but I was with it the whole time. I love books where she has a plan to execute and I really liked them together. I will say…the weight stuff was weird every time but honestly I’d expect nothing less from 2006.

[Queen Rosalind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book Ive read by Francis Ray. It will not be my last.

[Geena Kenemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbs up for the big girls. You go Hope!!

[amaya crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

Awesome book I needed the rest of the series so I can know how everyone got together and fell in love

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of all time!

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story line. Two people who have been friends for years finally realize they were destined to be together forever. How wonderful is that. I liked that the leading lady was not a "skinny" girl. I loved that she took it in her hands to finally get the guy of her dreams to notice her. In this day and age if a woman did that then she would be seen as easy or a floozy, but the way Francis Ray told it showed the love and caring of woman for a man she has loved for years.I love that she used reverse phsychology on him to get him to realize what he wanted and needed in life. I loved the story line.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Grayson Family series then add the Grayson Family and Friends to follow up. I think I have read each book in both series and they kept getting better and of course they are interchangeable so in each book, you still got to hear about how another part of the family is doing. Will have to make sure I add the others to my home library in tribute to Mrs. Ray.

[Michelle Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like you either love the Grayson family or you hate them. There really is no in between. I just happen to LOVE them. I especially liked Brandon and Faith's story. Both being the nurturing type it made for a very sweet story. I was very pleased with this book just as I was with the first two in the series and just as I know I will be with the last two.

[Zarinah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was one book that had me cringing and then wondering when it was going to get the point but it took awhile and when it got to the heat of the relationship it picked up really well! I loved how it all comes together. I really like how francis Ray writes!

[Shonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Francis Ray especially the old stuff (from the 90's).

[Kesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, stereotypical romance read about the Grayson's. A good romance novel is necessary every ten reads.

[Cf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite it took too long for the couple to get together.

[Metris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a love story of life time friends. Brandon & Faith did not disappoint! I can't wait to see what Ruth & Felicia have in store for Pierce Grayson! Happy Reading

[Shental · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how Faith shook up Brandon's life. He would not have noticed her otherwise. Good for her. check out my review on myownbedsidetable.com.

[Darlene Dejohnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story. I feel like I know the Grayson's, McBride's, Falcons.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story

[Tigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having fun re-reading the Graysons of New Mexico

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

They momma starting to scare me, how the hell does she keep doing this?

[Lanice · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book I loves this book out of the others ones but I love all Francis ray books.