Dreaming of You

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Summary: Dreaming of Derek
Review: At first, it was curiosity that led me to get "Dreaming of You." After reading the story of tortured hero Derek Craven and well-bred writer Sara Fielding, I must say that Derek is truly unforgettable. It is unusual, if not original, to find a hero in romantic fiction who was dirt poor and did some truly atrocious deeds to build his gambling empire. Yet, despite his questionable deeds, we are shown in this story that when Derek found himself falling for Sara Fielding, he acted more honorably than his aristocratic counterparts.

Sara is also a strong heroine whose love and generosity of heart led the way for Derek to reclaim his soul. "Dreaming of You" by Lisa Kleypas is destined to be a classic.

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Summary: A romance WORTH dreaming about!
Review: I was filled with so much emotions after reading this book, the kind of emotions that can't be erased by releasing one BIG breath. Kleypas's writing is very simple and straightforward. She didn't dwell on long paragraphs nor flaunt her ability as a writer by creating a series of flowery words, metaphors, personifications, etc. No, she doesn't need to do that. She didn't manipulate the main characters by succumbing them into the usual-betrayal-jealousy-plots. Instead, she settled into a simple story of a man troubled by his past who desperately clings to the riches he surrounded himself to protect himself from being aware to that one thing he lacks, that he desires. Together, Kleypas paired Derek with Sara, a country maid who could have shamed Mother Teresa with her ideals. At first, I was frustrated at Sara's goodness, thinking it as stupidity and foolishness. BUt as the story progressed, I realized that Derek, for all his sorrow and cynicism, would at least deserved one thing that is pure and untainted amidst his soiled past. Kleypas won hundreds of her readers' hearts with oblivious INNOCENCE exchanged during the occasional sweet-talks and heartwrenching moments in their marriage life. It's also the inevitability of Derek's need and obssession for Sara's presence and love throughout the novel. The only one thing that I could compain about is the multiple times Derek "SNEERED" "JEERED" or "RETORDED". I know the used of such words implies his bitterness, but I hoped Kleypas had used another set of words or situations. Still, "Dreaming of You" had left an imprint in my heart for it is surely the SWEETEST book I read.

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Summary: will leave you in tears and envy
Review: i have read dozens of romance books, this one by far depicts the love between a man and woman more beautifully, pure, sweet, and simply wonderful than any other. THe way she ( the author) describes the herione and hero's feeling for each other is just wonderful. It makes you yearn for the ove this two share, and you fall in love with the characters, the setting, everything. Buy this book.

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Summary: A Gotta Read!
Review: This book was great. I could not put it down!! The inner struggle of Derek Craven and the understanding and strength of Sara was just what made the characters leap from the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: This is unequally the best romance novel I have ever read! Derek Craven as the hero has his many flaws, but you can't help falling in love with his personality. And Sara, the little brunette "mouse" from the country is adorable in her simplicity of character.

She knows how she feels and doesn't fight it. Infact, her openness is what eventually makes these two a worthy couple. It's not often that a novelist in this genre will take the reader into the emotions of the male lead so well that you see him as a three dimensional person, but Kleypas has mastered that art with Derek. You glimpse his vulnerabilities, desires and regrets and yet he still has his masculine appeal (in spades).

The sexual tension between Derek and Sara is written so well and so intensely passionate that it makes you ache. I was also glad to see Kleypas write the sexual encounters differently each time. This may sound graphic, but it gets so boring with the same old 'missionary', carbon copied style described in every novel out there. All in all, it's brilliantly crafted.

Rating:
Summary: Another Winner By Lisa Kleypas!!!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of Sara, a simple country maid who is also a published author, and Derek, the scandalous owner of a very successful gambling club.

After Sara saves his life, Derek reluctantly agrees to allow her to visit his club to further her research for her latest novel - as long as she agrees to stay out of his way! Needless to say, Sara's is a much noticed presence as her sweet, charming ways manage to captivate the staff...and Derek.

This is a beautiful story with many interesting secondary characters such as Derek's scorned mistress, Sara's coddled fiance, and the inhabitants of Craven's.

I highly recommend this book!

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Summary: What a tender story.
Review: Derek Craven comes from the most extremes of nothings. He was raised by prostitues here and there. Picked up bad habits form thieves and criminals in order to survive a time where human rights did not even existed. He does many menial jobs, but he also works in certain things that are better left unsaid.
None of this stops Derek from having all he dreamed off when he was just a little boy cleaning chimneys. And now Derek Craven is the owner of Craven', an extremely succesful gambling club. And thanks to his business savvy, Derek is one of the richest men in England.
Sara Fielding is a naive 25 year old country maid. But despite her sheltering and her innocence she has written two books which were a total success, including MATHILDA, which tells the story of a prostitute. She does extensive research for her books, and that includes going to the wort parts of London.
One night, while researching, she walks past an alley and sees a man about to be murdered, or so she thought, so she jusmps to his rescue. Little did she know, who she was saving was none other that THE Derek Craven.
She helps him, and in return he helps her back with her new book reseach. unfurtunately none of them knew that somehow they were going to end up attracted to each other, and even worst, they were going to fall for each other.
However, Derek is not ready to love. He strongly beleives that because of his past deeds he does not deserve Sara. Sara thinks she isnt capable of attackting a man like Derek and decides to go back to her almost fiancee.
But forgetting does not turn out as easy as they thought and once again they find themselves at a party. Now they must confront their feelings and act upon them, or stay quiet and let the person they love slip right through their hands.
The plot is thickened by an obssesive character that gives a whole new meaning to the word jelous and obssesive. This character, of course is revealed form the begining, but you never know what the next step it might take, will be.
The story was very tender and touchign. It made me feel grateful that I live in this day of age, where I have rights that protect me right and left.
Sara and Derek make a beautiful, passionate couple and their love is timeless.
Highly reccomed this book and it's pre-quel "And then came you".

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Summary: This PLOT ROCKS!
Review: In this, one of the best of Lisa Kleypas' novels, you get the opportunity to really delve into the inner psyche of Derek Craven, who was introduced to you in the first of the 'Gambler series' THEN CAME YOU. As one of the wealthiest and successful gambling club owners in England, Derek Craven, was the brash cockney 'bastard' child of a prostitute, born in a sewer pipe, left to die, and raised by prostitutes and thieves. With Derek, after his life of poverty and his subsequent monetary success, trust in his fellow man was near to non-existent nor did it come easily to even his most trusted friends.

Sara Fielding, whose fertile imagination and research had made her a successful author happened to be in the rookery one evening when she chanced upon a man being set upon by two thugs, pulling out the gun she carried for protection, she accidentally shot one assailant and saved the life of Derek Craven. Forced by gratitude for saving his life, Derek allowed her into his world of the high roller gamblers in the interest of her 'research'. Jaded and cautious of allowing himself close to anyone, Sara's presence in his club was soon the bane of his existence as he was exceedingly drawn to her. Knowing where he came from and the things he had done to get there, her goodness and gentleness was something he felt he didn't deserve. Fighting feelings of attraction, he pushed her away until fate and an interfering friend would draw them back together - into both passion and machinations of revenge from a dangerous madwoman in Derek's past.

Next to the most outstanding writing you can get in a historical, this plot ROCKS! It is not the fairytale of two people of noble blood, but two very deserving and special people who fall in love and beat all the odds of having a fairytale come true. As always, her dialogs are spicy and entertaining, all the supporting characters come vivdly to life and the passion is quite palatable. This is a reissue of a book that fans of this genre should RUSH to get and put on their keeper shelf to enjoy again and again!

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Summary: Absolutely Marvelous!!! Can I give it more stars?
Review: Derek and Sara, what a beautiful chemistry!!!I read Dreaming of You right after Stranger in My Arms, which, in my opinion, was a total disaster. Of course, after reading the reviews for DofY, I was expecting it to have the 5 star quality most of Ms. Kleypas fans have given. And boy, was I NOT disappointed. I ordered this book through Amazons used books and before receiving the package saw it in the Library shelf, I was really put out to have paid [money amount]already and have it available for free. But after reading the book, it was worth paying the [money amount], since it is a keeper anyway.

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Summary: A different yet just as satisfying LK read
Review: This just might be one of my favorite LK read to date. I've read almost all of her newer stuff and you can tell she has advanced in her writing, yet she is still unbelievable. This book is different from a lot of her other novels. Derek (the male love interest) is a little darker than the other male leads LK has set up. Not only that but he acquires a scar on his face (from a jealous ex-lover) which is different since the other male leads usually have no major disfigurements. Even with the scar, he is no less handsome and it doesn't affect the reader's mental image of him greatly.
The thing about this book is that there is no great secret of the man's in the near-end that will bring the two main characters closer together. Derek lays all his secrets bare to Sara (a writer who has come for research for her next novel and is observing Derek's gambling club that he owns to acquire the research) and lets her form her own ideas of him. I prefered this to the usual tell-the-woman-the-big-bad-secret-at-the-near-end. Derek expects to be shunned but isn't (that would cause a problem in the romance departmentif her were). Derek almost seems a little darker than the male interests in LK's other books but he is no less appealing. In fact, he is probably one of the most memorable. This book only solidified my loyalty as a Lisa Kleypas fan. It is a thouroughly enjoyable read. It also has enough sensuality to keep the reader intrigued but not so much that you start to wonder when the characters sleep at all (or where they acquired their sexual appetite). Kleypas has done us proud yet again!