Book Title: A Lovely Dream
Author: Barbara Cutrera
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
One night, Seneca Jones has a vivid dream in which a smart, handsome man loves her passionately and unconditionally. Seneca, a social worker, dismisses the dream as a manifestation of longing for what she fears she’ll never have. But she figures out shortly after meeting Michael Benedetto, a former Naval Intelligence Officer, that he is the man of her dreams. Both brilliant and haunted by their pasts, Seneca and Michael realize they were meant to be together regardless of their extremely different backgrounds and their individual struggles with PTSD. Despite their devotion to one another, however, Michael’s past as a spy and the horrific incident that Seneca witnessed as a teenager put their relationship, as well as their lives, in jeopardy. As their love and commitment grow stronger, Seneca and Michael vow to work together to help others who are fighting similar battles. Unfortunately while they attempt to deal with their own issues, they have no way of knowing that an even greater danger looms over their future.
Tbird’s Review:
Seneca is a social worker who deals with older people who need some
reminders and help with their daily life, as well as a new mother in a new
country who just needs some support and education. She has dreams for her
life, a secluded beach house that protects her from society and she has
PTSD. Some nights she has the dream of meeting her soulmate in life and
being happy, other nights she has nightmares of events that ripped her soul
apart and left her shattered. I had the feeling she was running from
reality and trying to fix what was wrong by being a social worker and
focusing on her patients.
Michael is the grandson to one of those said patients, the one who saw past
the act she put on and called her on her running. Michael’s military
career left him mentally exhausted and scarred. With his own form of PTSD,
he went home and helped his grandfather create an organization to help
others who are in his position. Could he be the one in Seneca’s lovely
dream?
We watch Seneca try to learn a new way of behavior with going to high
society events, trying to find her real place in life she ends up thinking
maybe Michael is her safe place to land, but they both have to overcome
their past nightmares in order to have something to offer for a future.
I loved the plot idea but I struggled to enjoy the whole book due to rapid
scenes, extensive information that didn’t add to the story and a long list
of characters that at times made it hard to follow the story because I was
trying to remember what role they played in the plot. I think I would have
totally enjoyed this book if I had been able to read it with a quick,
smooth flow and hadn’t had to stop and ask who this person was or feel like
I was bogged down with information that really didn’t push the plot
forward, but even with that said, I did enjoy watching Seneca and Michael
find their way through the maze of PTSD and the suspense and drama that did
occur in their lives. I would recommend this book but ask that you be
patient especially in the beginning.
“Do you mind if I swim?” Michael asked. “I’ll get my stuff out of the SUV and change while you’re inside. I can put my dry clothes back on afterwards.”
“Brrr. It’s fine with me, and there’s no one else around to care. We’re completely isolated here. So, be my guest.”
I made a trip to the bathroom, got two bottles of water out of the fridge, and headed back to the lanai. The moment I opened the door, I stopped. I thought my heart would stop, too.
From his position near the edge of the beach, Michael was unaware that I was standing in the doorway to the house. He slipped off his shirt and placed it on one of the chairs. He then undid his belt buckle, unbuttoned the top button on his shorts, and then unzipped them. Once those were placed next to the shirt, he took off his black boxers. I watched as he pulled on his swim trunks, slipped on his water shoes, then walked into the water and began to swim.
The image of Michaels naked body lingered in the forefront of my brain. His muscles were well-defined but not overly so. His butt was not flat but not too rounded either. And the glimpse I’d had of his….
You need to be very careful or else you know what’s going to happen. Then where will you be? What if he is really like the man from your dream and you have sex with him too soon and ruin everything?
Sighing, I made my way down to where our chairs were set up and took the same seat. I was so engrossed in watching Michael’s powerful body as he swam that I forgot about looking at the sunset.
Born and raised in Louisiana, Barbara Cutrera was destined to be a storyteller. The author of contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, fiction, and mystery novels, she became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age. She moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband, son, and Cairn terrier in 2004 and enjoys its relaxed, diverse atmosphere. Barbara, who is visually impaired, believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. She has a passion for writing, reading, family, friends, music, Nutella, and A & W Cream Soda.
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