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Paranormal Series I #2
The Dream
Some Secrets Haunt You Forever....
Every night Genny Austin is tormented by nightmares of a past she can't recall. Crazy as it sounds, Genny is convinced her harrowing dreams are memories of another life she lived long ago.
Jack Brennan is having nightmares too, but his are real. His business is under siege and his life is being threatened. When Genny and Jack meet one night on a Santa Barbara beach, all Jack wants from Genny is a wild night and quick good-bye, but Genny isn't the sort for a one night stand.
Drawn to each other by feelings neither she nor Jack understand, Genny finds herself inexorably lured into a world of passion and deadly riddles. In the shadows of her dreams lurks a terrible truth, and only by unlocking the secrets of the past will she be free to find love at last.
Every night Genny Austin is tormented by nightmares of a past she can't recall. Crazy as it sounds, Genny is convinced her harrowing dreams are memories of another life she lived long ago.
Jack Brennan is having nightmares too, but his are real. His business is under siege and his life is being threatened. When Genny and Jack meet one night on a Santa Barbara beach, all Jack wants from Genny is a wild night and quick good-bye, but Genny isn't the sort for a one night stand.
Drawn to each other by feelings neither she nor Jack understand, Genny finds herself inexorably lured into a world of passion and deadly riddles. In the shadows of her dreams lurks a terrible truth, and only by unlocking the secrets of the past will she be free to find love at last.
426 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
144 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,172 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 9, 2008
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book before I started it, but from very early on, I was hooked. For me, it was a very well-rounded story: great characters, solid romance, and an engaging storyline. More than once I had to make myself put it down to go do something more pressing (like sleeping).
The storyline is a little different than the average romantic suspense book. After finding her husband murdered on the sidewalk in front of their house 2 years earlier, Genny Austin has been having truly disturbing nightmares. It's affected her life in just about every way and she almost never sleeps through the night. One night while walking the beach, she is attacked by 3 hoodlums. Boat captain Jack Brennen comes to her rescue. There's an instant chemistry between the two. But it baffles them. They have absolutely nothing in common. She's a good-girl librarian, and he's a rough and tumble ladies man who just wants to have fun and screw women. The differences don't seem to matter though. They just can't stay away from each other.
Though this book is classified as a romantic suspense, it's more what I call Romance-Fiction...a romance novel with a semi-suspenseful side story. Most of the book is about the romance. And it's an enjoyable relationship to read about. I really liked Genny and Jack. Normally I'm put off by hardcore ladies-men and I generally hate it when the Hero sleeps with another woman in a romance novel, but it worked for this story. Because it was part of Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings for Genny and his conflicted emotions about his parents marriage. I just really enjoyed the progression of their relationship, the ups and downs, the undeniable chemistry, and I've always like opposites-attract stories. So two thumbs up for the romance angle of the book.
As for the side story suspense plot...great stuff there, too. I thought in the beginning that all the stuff with Genny's dreams would be annoying, but it was actually rather interesting. She's just your average woman and after a tragic event, she has the most bizarre dreams. Everyone tells her it's just an after affect of her husbands violent death, but the clearer the dreams become, the less sure Genny is of that. It was interesting to read about, and I like the way Martin worked that aspect. It really kept me reading.
All around, this was a very engaging book. Everything about it sucked me in and had me not wanting to put it down. If your a fan of romances with somewhat suspenseful side-plots, then a definitely recommend this book.
NOTE: this book was originally published under the name Kasey Mars.
The storyline is a little different than the average romantic suspense book. After finding her husband murdered on the sidewalk in front of their house 2 years earlier, Genny Austin has been having truly disturbing nightmares. It's affected her life in just about every way and she almost never sleeps through the night. One night while walking the beach, she is attacked by 3 hoodlums. Boat captain Jack Brennen comes to her rescue. There's an instant chemistry between the two. But it baffles them. They have absolutely nothing in common. She's a good-girl librarian, and he's a rough and tumble ladies man who just wants to have fun and screw women. The differences don't seem to matter though. They just can't stay away from each other.
Though this book is classified as a romantic suspense, it's more what I call Romance-Fiction...a romance novel with a semi-suspenseful side story. Most of the book is about the romance. And it's an enjoyable relationship to read about. I really liked Genny and Jack. Normally I'm put off by hardcore ladies-men and I generally hate it when the Hero sleeps with another woman in a romance novel, but it worked for this story. Because it was part of Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings for Genny and his conflicted emotions about his parents marriage. I just really enjoyed the progression of their relationship, the ups and downs, the undeniable chemistry, and I've always like opposites-attract stories. So two thumbs up for the romance angle of the book.
As for the side story suspense plot...great stuff there, too. I thought in the beginning that all the stuff with Genny's dreams would be annoying, but it was actually rather interesting. She's just your average woman and after a tragic event, she has the most bizarre dreams. Everyone tells her it's just an after affect of her husbands violent death, but the clearer the dreams become, the less sure Genny is of that. It was interesting to read about, and I like the way Martin worked that aspect. It really kept me reading.
All around, this was a very engaging book. Everything about it sucked me in and had me not wanting to put it down. If your a fan of romances with somewhat suspenseful side-plots, then a definitely recommend this book.
NOTE: this book was originally published under the name Kasey Mars.
July 30, 2008
This book was pretty good. I really like the characters and the story line. I think it was drawn out just a little bit though. I can't remember how many times the quote, "He felt this for her and he hated himself for it." Yeah, we get it, he loves her but he doesn't want to. Let's not write the same thing over and over again!
Anyway, this book is about Genny, a woman who's husband had been murdered and no suspect found. This caused her to start having horrible nightmares that kept her up most nights. On the nights she was able to sleep she would have the horrible nightmares.
One night while walking on the beach to soothe her mind, Genny runs across three bad guys who have bad intentions for her. This is when Jack comes in. He saves her from the men and their relationship escalates from that.
Genny finds this guy extremely attractive, but it is obvious he is a player so she isn't sure if she can trust him. Through twists and turns in the story, Genny and Jack become romantically involved and it becomes his goal to help her sleep at night. Through Jack and his friends, Genny finally gets the answer she's been craving about her dreams.
Anyway, this book is about Genny, a woman who's husband had been murdered and no suspect found. This caused her to start having horrible nightmares that kept her up most nights. On the nights she was able to sleep she would have the horrible nightmares.
One night while walking on the beach to soothe her mind, Genny runs across three bad guys who have bad intentions for her. This is when Jack comes in. He saves her from the men and their relationship escalates from that.
Genny finds this guy extremely attractive, but it is obvious he is a player so she isn't sure if she can trust him. Through twists and turns in the story, Genny and Jack become romantically involved and it becomes his goal to help her sleep at night. Through Jack and his friends, Genny finally gets the answer she's been craving about her dreams.
February 15, 2014
This is the third book in the Haunted series. Each book in its own way haunts the reader until it's done. None of the subjects in the books are comfortable topics (murder, rape, torture, the occult), but each one reaches down and makes the reader think and feel, which is why I love Kat Martin books.
August 5, 2020
Srsly, the Satanic Panic? Repressed memories? Very much a sign of the times. Although Martin does state these are debunked ideas.
Overall, an okay read. A bit long but fine.
Overall, an okay read. A bit long but fine.
June 24, 2020
Genny Austin suffers from traumatic nightmares after her husband’s murder. The progressively clear and sadistic dreams make her afraid to sleep at all, and she suffers from sleep deprivation. She often walks on the beach to clear her head in the hopes that she may be able to sleep if she is physically tired enough. One night she is attacked by drunks on the beach; Love’em and leave ‘em Jack Brennan hears her screams and rescues her. From that point there is attraction, multiple mysteries and suspense.
The story is overplotted for my tastes. Jack has hang ups and money troubles paying off the loan on his salvage boat. Genny has her own trauma. Will they, won’t they? Do they have a future? Will Genny lose her job because of her insomnia? Illegal, untaxed components, smuggling, and business machinations leading to murder rear their ugly plot elements. The paranormal dreams are a bit much. As a librarian, I find the librarian life as antidote to a previous sadistic life stereotypical and overdone. Martin is an engaging writer, but around page 300, I was ‘enough already.’ I did finish it because it is an easy read, but there was too much going on to make the story very believable.
Readalikes:
Stella Cameron’s Chimney Rock series; Julie Garwood – Sweet Talk; Lisa Unger – Under My Skin; Karen Robards – Vanished; Jayne Ann Krentz – Secret Sisters; Kay Hooper – Blood Dreams; Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters novels.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Stereotypical librarian…
Story: Plot-driven; intricately over plotted
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Atmospheric; Steamy
Frame: Santa Barbara CA; contemporary
Theme: Opposites attract; second chance at romance
The story is overplotted for my tastes. Jack has hang ups and money troubles paying off the loan on his salvage boat. Genny has her own trauma. Will they, won’t they? Do they have a future? Will Genny lose her job because of her insomnia? Illegal, untaxed components, smuggling, and business machinations leading to murder rear their ugly plot elements. The paranormal dreams are a bit much. As a librarian, I find the librarian life as antidote to a previous sadistic life stereotypical and overdone. Martin is an engaging writer, but around page 300, I was ‘enough already.’ I did finish it because it is an easy read, but there was too much going on to make the story very believable.
Readalikes:
Stella Cameron’s Chimney Rock series; Julie Garwood – Sweet Talk; Lisa Unger – Under My Skin; Karen Robards – Vanished; Jayne Ann Krentz – Secret Sisters; Kay Hooper – Blood Dreams; Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters novels.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Stereotypical librarian…
Story: Plot-driven; intricately over plotted
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Atmospheric; Steamy
Frame: Santa Barbara CA; contemporary
Theme: Opposites attract; second chance at romance
May 25, 2018
I enjoyed this book but I wouldn't read it again (which I frequently do). I guessed the villain right at the beginning of the story. The dreams' conclusion wasn't solved in a manner I couldn't relate to. I would have preferred a different ending to that part of the book.
This has some heavy subject matter in the dreams regarding slavery so if you want a light read, this is not it.
This has some heavy subject matter in the dreams regarding slavery so if you want a light read, this is not it.
May 24, 2025
After the promising first novel in this series, this was rather a letdown. The continual back and forth with both Genny and Jack on whether or not they should be together, or were together currently, got old. The historic tie in was neat, but felt underdeveloped. Genny’s original therapist should have had their medical license revoked.
November 13, 2020
An engaging read, a sensual romance with a side of paranormal suspense.
Read
February 2, 2021Was more interested in her reincarnation dreams than I was the romance between Ginny and Jack.
October 29, 2022
Kat Martin is a win drum author
You can not go wrong reading Kat Martin she's one of the best.The Dream is a book you can't put down.
You can not go wrong reading Kat Martin she's one of the best.The Dream is a book you can't put down.
September 1, 2025
superb time swap story
May 14, 2025
This book is soooooo good. I’m not giving any spoilers but it’s got everything, romance, thrills, and even a bit of paranormal thrown in. It reads easy too, but it’s filled with just enough detail the perfect amount but the story is amazing. Read. This. Book. At first it seemed to be basic, but it’s nothing close to a basic romance. I think the cover is misleading to think it may be nothing but a romance novel but it’s soooo much more. Loved it.
September 8, 2016
I read the German edition called "Im Bann des Dunklen":
Die hübsche und liebenswerte Bibliothekarin Genny Austin wird nach dem Mord an ihrem Ehemann von grausamen Albträumen gequält, die im Laufe der Zeit immer intensiver werden und sie kaum noch schlafen lassen. In diesen Träumen trifft sie immer wieder auf eine grausame schöne Frau, die auf einer Südseeplantage schwarze Magie praktiziert und Menschen grundlos quält und ermordert.
Weder eine Therapeutin noch die Ärzte in einem Schlaflabor können Genny helfen. Auch eigene Nachforschungen bleiben erfolglos. Dann trifft sie auf den Seemann Jack Brennen, einen gut aussehenden Frauenhelden, der absolut nicht bindungsfähig zu sein scheint und nur auf Vergnügen aus ist. Doch ganz so oberflächlich ist dieser Mann gar nicht. Sein Herz gehört dem Bergungsschiff "Marauder" und er setzt alles daran, die letzte Rate für dieses Schiff irgendwie aufzutreiben. Trotz der schwerwiegenden eigenen Probleme finden die beiden ungleichen Menschen zueinander. Eine leidenschaftliche Affäre beginnt. Sehr zum Mißfallen von Howard McCormick, Geschäftspartner von Genny und Treuhänder des Firmenvermögens nach dem Tod ihres Mannes. Howard ist ebenfalls hinter Genny her und heuchelt ihr den verständnisvollen Freund vor. Doch hinter ihrem Rücken macht er schmutzige Geschäfte und schmuggelt gefälschte Computerchips auf dem Seeweg ins Land. Als eines der Schiffe mit McCormicks Schmuggelware und einer großen Menge Kupferdraht an Bord sinkt, macht sich Jack Brennen auf, die Ladung zu bergen. Der Wert dieser Fracht könnte sein eigenes Schiff retten. McCormick versucht, ihn zu kaufen, um an seine Chips zu kommen, doch Jack lehnt ab. Es gelingt ihm, das Kupfer zu bergen. Als sie die Alu-Kisten mit den Computerteilen finden, werden sie von unbekannten Tauchern angegriffen und Jack wird durch eine Harpune verletzt. Es gelingt ihm aber zu entkommen. Aus Angst um ihn gesteht Genny, dass sie ihn liebt. Doch das Wort "Liebe" treibt den Seebären erstmal in die Flucht. Nach der ersten Bergungsaktion verhindert ein Sturm die Suche nach der restlichen Ladung. Nachdem GennysTräume auch tagsüber in Visionen ausarten und sie sogar körperlich schwächen, bringt Jacks Freund und Miteigner Charley sie zu einem Spezialisten für Hypnosetherapie. Er führt sie in in Trance ein früheres Leben auf Jamaica und enthüllt ihr, dass sie selbst die grausame Plantagenbesitzerin namens Annie Patterson gewesen ist. Genny ist entsetzt. Sie reist auf die Insel und kann dort weitere Puzzlestücke aus ihrem früheren Leben zusammen setzen. Derweil erkennt Jack, dass auch er Genny liebt und reist ihr nach. Auf Jamaica erkennt Genny, dass Jack die Wiedergeburt eines Liebhabers aus diesem früheren Leben ist. Aus Angst, dass ihr das Gleiche passieren könnte, wie dieser Annie Patterson trennt sie sich schweren Herzens noch vor dem Rückflug von Jack, der ihr sogar einen Heiratsantrag gemacht hatte.
Jack geht wieder auf die Suche nach dem Wrack, um die restliche Ladung zu bergen. Doch er ist längst nicht mehr der Alte und vergeht vor Sehnsucht nach Genny, ebenso wie diese nach ihm. Erst eine weitere Rückführung kann sie überzeugen, dass sie für ihre damaligen Untaten als Annie bereits gebüßt hat und sie nun ihre Liebe in der Gegenwart leben muss. Sie begibt sich zum Hafen, um auf Jack zu warten. Überraschend erwartet McCormick sie dort und nimmt sie unter einem Vorwand auf seiner Yacht mit hinaus zu Jack. An Bord der "Marauder" kommt es dann zu einem aufregenden Showdown, in dessen Verlauf sich Genny an weitere Details aus der jüngsten Vergangenheit erinnert.
Fazit: Ein Buch zwischen Erotik und Abenteuer, dass im letzten Drittel mit einer gehörigen Portion Action aufwartet. Leicht und flüssig geschrieben mit interessanten Protagonisten. Eine unterhaltsame Lektüre mit einigen esoterischen Elementen! Von mir fünf Sterne! (Mira Taschenbuch, 528 Seiten
Die hübsche und liebenswerte Bibliothekarin Genny Austin wird nach dem Mord an ihrem Ehemann von grausamen Albträumen gequält, die im Laufe der Zeit immer intensiver werden und sie kaum noch schlafen lassen. In diesen Träumen trifft sie immer wieder auf eine grausame schöne Frau, die auf einer Südseeplantage schwarze Magie praktiziert und Menschen grundlos quält und ermordert.
Weder eine Therapeutin noch die Ärzte in einem Schlaflabor können Genny helfen. Auch eigene Nachforschungen bleiben erfolglos. Dann trifft sie auf den Seemann Jack Brennen, einen gut aussehenden Frauenhelden, der absolut nicht bindungsfähig zu sein scheint und nur auf Vergnügen aus ist. Doch ganz so oberflächlich ist dieser Mann gar nicht. Sein Herz gehört dem Bergungsschiff "Marauder" und er setzt alles daran, die letzte Rate für dieses Schiff irgendwie aufzutreiben. Trotz der schwerwiegenden eigenen Probleme finden die beiden ungleichen Menschen zueinander. Eine leidenschaftliche Affäre beginnt. Sehr zum Mißfallen von Howard McCormick, Geschäftspartner von Genny und Treuhänder des Firmenvermögens nach dem Tod ihres Mannes. Howard ist ebenfalls hinter Genny her und heuchelt ihr den verständnisvollen Freund vor. Doch hinter ihrem Rücken macht er schmutzige Geschäfte und schmuggelt gefälschte Computerchips auf dem Seeweg ins Land. Als eines der Schiffe mit McCormicks Schmuggelware und einer großen Menge Kupferdraht an Bord sinkt, macht sich Jack Brennen auf, die Ladung zu bergen. Der Wert dieser Fracht könnte sein eigenes Schiff retten. McCormick versucht, ihn zu kaufen, um an seine Chips zu kommen, doch Jack lehnt ab. Es gelingt ihm, das Kupfer zu bergen. Als sie die Alu-Kisten mit den Computerteilen finden, werden sie von unbekannten Tauchern angegriffen und Jack wird durch eine Harpune verletzt. Es gelingt ihm aber zu entkommen. Aus Angst um ihn gesteht Genny, dass sie ihn liebt. Doch das Wort "Liebe" treibt den Seebären erstmal in die Flucht. Nach der ersten Bergungsaktion verhindert ein Sturm die Suche nach der restlichen Ladung. Nachdem GennysTräume auch tagsüber in Visionen ausarten und sie sogar körperlich schwächen, bringt Jacks Freund und Miteigner Charley sie zu einem Spezialisten für Hypnosetherapie. Er führt sie in in Trance ein früheres Leben auf Jamaica und enthüllt ihr, dass sie selbst die grausame Plantagenbesitzerin namens Annie Patterson gewesen ist. Genny ist entsetzt. Sie reist auf die Insel und kann dort weitere Puzzlestücke aus ihrem früheren Leben zusammen setzen. Derweil erkennt Jack, dass auch er Genny liebt und reist ihr nach. Auf Jamaica erkennt Genny, dass Jack die Wiedergeburt eines Liebhabers aus diesem früheren Leben ist. Aus Angst, dass ihr das Gleiche passieren könnte, wie dieser Annie Patterson trennt sie sich schweren Herzens noch vor dem Rückflug von Jack, der ihr sogar einen Heiratsantrag gemacht hatte.
Jack geht wieder auf die Suche nach dem Wrack, um die restliche Ladung zu bergen. Doch er ist längst nicht mehr der Alte und vergeht vor Sehnsucht nach Genny, ebenso wie diese nach ihm. Erst eine weitere Rückführung kann sie überzeugen, dass sie für ihre damaligen Untaten als Annie bereits gebüßt hat und sie nun ihre Liebe in der Gegenwart leben muss. Sie begibt sich zum Hafen, um auf Jack zu warten. Überraschend erwartet McCormick sie dort und nimmt sie unter einem Vorwand auf seiner Yacht mit hinaus zu Jack. An Bord der "Marauder" kommt es dann zu einem aufregenden Showdown, in dessen Verlauf sich Genny an weitere Details aus der jüngsten Vergangenheit erinnert.
Fazit: Ein Buch zwischen Erotik und Abenteuer, dass im letzten Drittel mit einer gehörigen Portion Action aufwartet. Leicht und flüssig geschrieben mit interessanten Protagonisten. Eine unterhaltsame Lektüre mit einigen esoterischen Elementen! Von mir fünf Sterne! (Mira Taschenbuch, 528 Seiten
March 4, 2017
Genny is having terrible nightmares and can't sleep because of them. So she walks on the beach to calm herself. There she meets Jack, a ship owner and part of a salvage team who is on the verge of losing his boat and therefore his livelihood. He likes things fast and loose, she is more straight laced. But they become attached to each other as Genny tries to figure out her dreams and Jack tries to save his boat.
Got to say, this wasn't my favorite. I didn't particularly care for the stereotypical, conservative and shy librarian heroine. She was a bit TSTL, very over-emotional and spends a lot of the book blaming herself for the hero's shortcomings. She thought she was crazy for having sadistic dreams. I thought she was crazy for loving Jack Brennan, the hero. This man is a walking STD. The only thoughts he has are about his boat, his friends and where the next vagina is and how he can get inside it. Women mean nothing to him but as an outlet for pleasure. He's a bit of a neanderthal. And my biggest hot-button, infidelity, rears its ugly head. First, while he's sleeping with her he has a night out with the boys and the heroine catches him fondling another woman. Sure he stopped and realized he didn't actually want to do it, but he would have gone through with it if she hadn't caught him. Then later, the day after he's rejected her love and not formally called things off, he whores around town and we actually get explicit scenes of him with another woman. Not what I want to see! My own personal preference. I hate this sort of thing in a romance, because in my mind, a man in love simply cannot enjoy sex with another woman. And he very clearly does in this case.
Positive points though, were the angst there towards the end as they're trying to figure out their relationship woes, the past-life thing was actually pretty cool, but my first thought was to find out what happened to Jason, so I was astonished that nobody else thought of it. But I appreciate that no one did because it made this a bit more emotionally engaging.
Got to say, this wasn't my favorite. I didn't particularly care for the stereotypical, conservative and shy librarian heroine. She was a bit TSTL, very over-emotional and spends a lot of the book blaming herself for the hero's shortcomings. She thought she was crazy for having sadistic dreams. I thought she was crazy for loving Jack Brennan, the hero. This man is a walking STD. The only thoughts he has are about his boat, his friends and where the next vagina is and how he can get inside it. Women mean nothing to him but as an outlet for pleasure. He's a bit of a neanderthal. And my biggest hot-button, infidelity, rears its ugly head. First, while he's sleeping with her he has a night out with the boys and the heroine catches him fondling another woman. Sure he stopped and realized he didn't actually want to do it, but he would have gone through with it if she hadn't caught him. Then later, the day after he's rejected her love and not formally called things off, he whores around town and we actually get explicit scenes of him with another woman. Not what I want to see! My own personal preference. I hate this sort of thing in a romance, because in my mind, a man in love simply cannot enjoy sex with another woman. And he very clearly does in this case.
Positive points though, were the angst there towards the end as they're trying to figure out their relationship woes, the past-life thing was actually pretty cool, but my first thought was to find out what happened to Jason, so I was astonished that nobody else thought of it. But I appreciate that no one did because it made this a bit more emotionally engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2015
I'm surprised at how much I liked this one. The dreams and the past lives, which I thought would be really hokey, worked better than I thought it would. I was a bit put off at how little Genny knew about the time period of her dreams and how surprised she was about all of it, considering that she was a librarian. I thought she should be more well read. She was a little too stereotypical repressed librarian-girl at the beginning, and Jake was a bit too party-boy for his age, but they both grew on me. The friends - Charley, Pete, Ollie, and Millie were well written. Even Vivian turned out to be more than a cardboard character, in part because Jack realised that she was a real person. Howard was a complete jerk. He should have been scarier. In the end he was an inept white-collar criminal and even an inept murderer.
Jake and Genny's relationship grew very organically. It wasn't insta-lust even on his part. When he broke it off, I was really upset by his encounter with another woman, but that's very realistic, and thankfully even he realised it wasn't working as a way to forget her. When Genny broke it off, I actually thought her reasons made less sense, and the Karmic Debt stuff was a bit too much. I'd rather that she figured out she wasn't like Annee without the very obvious cosmic payback. And I was really shocked that no one figured out that Jason's ship was lost at sea until the end. That seemed so obvious to me.
Jake and Genny's relationship grew very organically. It wasn't insta-lust even on his part. When he broke it off, I was really upset by his encounter with another woman, but that's very realistic, and thankfully even he realised it wasn't working as a way to forget her. When Genny broke it off, I actually thought her reasons made less sense, and the Karmic Debt stuff was a bit too much. I'd rather that she figured out she wasn't like Annee without the very obvious cosmic payback. And I was really shocked that no one figured out that Jason's ship was lost at sea until the end. That seemed so obvious to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2017
This EPUB formatting of this novel is extremely confusing. There is no true table of contents and it is arranged in book index#. Presently I'm in Book Index #5 /page 62/175, but this reads like the end of the plot as everything in Howard's and Jack's lives seem to be heading for an impact with each other, while Genny's stands in the middle. Great story with the characters growing and morphing into real people.
Greed, murder, past life regression, reincarnation, karmic debt, and timeless love were all topics touched upon in this exhilarating novel. Genny grew and matured by finally forgiving Jack and allowing their eternal love to blossom. While Jack finally recognized what love truly was as he settled down to enjoy his life. Greedy, murdering, betraying Howard got his just desserts.
I highly recommend this novel about the tough, unpredictable life of a seaman, but not in this format.
Greed, murder, past life regression, reincarnation, karmic debt, and timeless love were all topics touched upon in this exhilarating novel. Genny grew and matured by finally forgiving Jack and allowing their eternal love to blossom. While Jack finally recognized what love truly was as he settled down to enjoy his life. Greedy, murdering, betraying Howard got his just desserts.
I highly recommend this novel about the tough, unpredictable life of a seaman, but not in this format.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2010
Ok i love Kat Martin and i've read so many of her books and i loved them all!! I liked this one but didn't quite love it! I had just read Hot Rain by Kat Martin and for a second i thought i was reading it again. The two books had such same characters and plot setting. I kind of felt like the hero jumped from Hot Rain into The Dream. He was tall, dark and handsome with beautiful blue eyes and black hair. And also i found myself skipping over when she was talking about her dreams or when she was at the clinic. Maybe it's because it didn't interest me. But we all have different taste! I still enjoyed this book but just not a favorite!
August 6, 2016
One of my favorite authors; one of her best books and with this author, that's really saying something! This book was my 1st read by Kat Martin and I have been in awe of her talent ever since then. I have re-read it countless times and it has an honored place on my favorites shelf. This book has it all: a past life murder mystery, and the current unsolved death of the heroine's husband, along with the excitement of a steamy romance that transcends time. Get it. Read it. You'll love it.
October 22, 2013
This story was interesting,with Genny Austin being tormented by nightmares that don't make sence to her,And she is determined to find out what they mean.Then theres a man who saves her from being raped and she is as lured to him as he is to her.And they go thru lots of situations to be together.Very interesting story.Loved the book.
November 17, 2013
My problems with this book have to do with its resolution, so I won't go into any details. It didn't come close to the Raines or Against series. Then I looked at the copyright--1995. Oh, I wasn't a fan of hers during those years, apparently for good reason. I'll check the copyright before I buy another book of hers.
March 22, 2014
4.5* Fascinating read
Quite different than any other romance. not erotica but intriguing mystery/romance. Good writing with a few errors. I loved the past lives aspect. I thought the characters would figure out some things more quickly.
I bought the next book so eager to read more of Kat Martin.
Quite different than any other romance. not erotica but intriguing mystery/romance. Good writing with a few errors. I loved the past lives aspect. I thought the characters would figure out some things more quickly.
I bought the next book so eager to read more of Kat Martin.
May 10, 2014
I like Kat, but I felt like I had to force myself to finish this story. Somehow I thought the ending would be some spectacular twist or turn. Instead, it was a straight road from start to finish. Meh. I'll still read this author, but I just cannot seem to truly care about these characters or this story very much. Sorry!
January 30, 2015
I loved this book. It's different from anything I've ever read before. I love how the character went through past life regression through hypnosis. I've always believed in past lifes and found this book to be a great read. The erotic scenes were amazingly written. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves erotic and suspense.
April 4, 2015
This was one of Martin's earlier books. Her writing is quite different in this book compared to her more recent ones. The narrative is wordy and not concise like the current books. The storyline is long and drawn out, but the characters are well-done. This was a good story for my boring weekend!
January 8, 2014
This was one of the most interesting books I have ever read concerning dreams. Where do dreams come from, are they the past or the future. Genny Austin discovered her dream was a nightmare but Jack Brennan was there for her no matter what.
February 11, 2015
I love Kat Martins book and this one was a bit unusual...it has some strange twists and turns and some of it I just don't quite believe. Reincarnation is not something I believe in but it made for interesting reading. All in all I enjoyed this book and I know you will too!
October 1, 2015
Coming together
It is amazing how multiple stories can be developing at the same time as the whole story successfully concludes. This author is great at encompassing personality and character of relationships. Heathens the readers interest throughout the book.
It is amazing how multiple stories can be developing at the same time as the whole story successfully concludes. This author is great at encompassing personality and character of relationships. Heathens the readers interest throughout the book.
August 8, 2012
Genny is a wus. Jack can't commit. Past lives are a bitch.
November 13, 2013
It was a hard book to read but I still could not put it down. It was different.
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