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7.12.2012

Hidden in Dreams Book Review and a Giveaway

About Hidden in Dreams   
Just when the world’s foremost expert on dream analysis, Dr. Elena Burroughs, thinks she is getting her life back under control after losing her position at Oxford University and the man she hoped to fall in love with, she is approached by Rachel Lamprey, the product manager of an innovative new ADHD treatment about to hit the market.

Rachel asks for Elena’s help with a clinical trial participant who has had a disturbing dream foretelling a cataclysmic global financial collapse. But even more alarming is the fact that fifteen people scattered across the globe—including Elena herself—begin to experience the same repetitive, devastating dreams of economic ruin just as one bank crisis follows another, suggesting that these aren’t merely dreams.

As Elena searches for answers in her professional networks, she is forced to form an unlikely alliance with her most vehement critic and is drawn back into the spotlight as the public face of the so-called dreamers. As Elena and her collaborators attempt to discover the dreams’ source, the clock ticks down to devastation. Suddenly, it’s no longer just about the dreams. It’s about survival.

My Review
Have you ever wakened from a dream wondering if it had really happened? Dreams, although subconscious, can often feel eerily like reality. What happens when 15 people dream the same nightmare? In different places around the world? Hidden in Dreams will give you chills as Dr. Elena Burroughs seeks to unravel the mystery behind the parallel dreams of 15 people, one of those being herself. Is it coincidence? A medial mystery? Or some sort of twisted conspiracy?

Readers will journey with Dr. Burroughs in answering these questions. Likely, they will also feel the helpless terror of those experiencing the dreams. In Hidden in Dreams, author Davis Bunn continues the series from book one, titled Book of Dreams. However readers who didn't read the first book won't be lost in this one. Although there are referrals to the first book, that one wrapped up at the end, and this begins with the next phase of Dr. Burroughs.

Davis Bunn has an engaging style that includes a thread of adventure and mystery combined with thriller. The plot is complex and just as with Bunn's other books, he makes his story lines feel believable enough for the reader to contemplate whether it could happen in real life.

If there is one thing that would make the book even more satisfying, it would be to have the reader get a more vivid picture of what the dreams were about. I won't spoil the plot, so I'll be a little vague here, but there are times when the author describes a dream as "far, far worse" than a previous one. But I didn't get a clear picture of what was far, far worse about it. This is a big challenge for an author, since dreams are difficult to really picture, but I wanted to really feel what was terrifying about it, and some of the descriptions kept me disengaged from really feeling the terror that the characters felt.

I loved it and I give the book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.


Intrigued? You can read the first chapter of the book for free: Download

You'll also find a free group discussion guide online: Download

Now for the giveaway!

The publisher has generously offered a free copy of this book to one of my readers. To enter your name in the drawing up to three times, simply do the following:
  • In the comments below, describe the scariest dream you have ever had.
  • For a second entry, sign up for Davis's e-newsletter and then leave a comment telling me you subscribed. Subscribe to Newsletter
  • For a third entry, like Davis's facebook page and then comment telling me you did. Facebook Page
On July 25, I'll use a random number generator to choose one winner from the comments you leave. Make sure that you subscribe to my blog feed by e-mail (see the subscribe box in the sidebar if you aren't already a subscriber) so you see the post when I name the winner. The winner will have 3 days to respond to me by e-mail with a postal mailing address and a book will be shipped directly from the publisher.

Feel free to tell your friends about the drawing by sending a link to this post.

39 comments:

  1. When my kids were around 4 and 9 years old, I took them camping at a campground just north of where we live. I had a dream that night that Nick, my son and the older child, fell down a bottomless hole. I could hear his little voice calling me, "Moooooommmm," as it grew fainter and fainter. Needless to say I woke up in a cold sweat and reached across our tent to be sure that he was still with me. It was horrible.

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  2. My scariest dreams and one that I have had a few times is being caught in a tidal wave and not being able to out run it and then being swept away.
    Thanks for the chance to win:)

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  3. Forgot to add that I liked Davis's Facebook page and signed up for his newsletter:)

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  4. Michelle, yes, I too have signed up for his newsletter and have liked his facebook page. I couldn't get it all done at one time at work today.

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  5. As a child I was terrified of a dream where I was alone in a jungle and suddenly realized that a large snake was hunting me. I tried hurrying faster and faster along the trail and would outrun the snake only to suddenly feel a coil starting to wrap around me. Each time I wriggled free and ran faster, but grew more exhausted and terrified with each time he caught me. I woke up screaming, convinced it was real and ran to my parents' bedroom. I refused to go back to my bed, certain that the snake was slithering just out of sight. My mom walked me to my room and in my bed we found a thick rubber band that had fallen out of my hair. I had laid on it and felt it rubbing my back as I moved. Mom took the rubber band, sat by me until I fell asleep and I never had the dream again.
    BTW: I am already on Davis Bunn's FB and newsletter list.

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    Replies
    1. Ha, ha! Don't you hate those kind of dreams?

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  6. My scariest dreams was my Mom leaving me at school, and being rejected... I would wake up crying. One thing I was left at school at the age 13 for six years.....Betsy Ps... I am already on Davis Bunn's newsletter and I facedbook Him..... I love all of his books!!! Betsy

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    1. Deep fears coming out in dreams? Sometimes!

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  7. Oh I wish I could remember a scary dream but sadly I can't!! I have trouble remembering important stuff...never mind dreams! I hope that this will still qualify as an entry into the contest.

    Dorothy C

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    Replies
    1. You'll qualify. Glad you don't have those dreams.

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  8. I am already Davis's Facebook friend

    Dorothy C

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  9. And I already receive Davis's email newsletter,

    Dorothy C

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  10. Scariest dreams I recall have concerned becoming separated from my family and unable to find my way back.

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  11. I already receive Davis' newsletter.

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  12. I used to have a reoccurring dream of crossing the street with plenty of time before the car in the distance got close. The problem was the pavement on the other side was always two more steps away and I was never able to reach it as the car came closer and closer. I always woke up just before impact. Thank the Lord that dream stopped.

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    Replies
    1. Ever feel like you're reaching for something unattainable? :-)

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  13. I already receive Davis Bunn's newsletter

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  14. The scariest dreams I have are about family members gone missing.
    I've subscribed to the newsletter & like his FB page.
    Thanks

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  15. Read Rare Earth and was blown away. Can't wait to read Hidden in Dreams.

    Yrs ago I would dream someone was chasing me but not in recent yrs.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  16. I already like Davis's FB pg (Brenda B. Hill)

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Already subscribed to newsletter

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  18. Just realized that I forgot to tell you I already like Davis' Facebook page. Thanks!

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  19. One of my scariest dreams that was a call to intercession was of seeing my former missionary friend in her bedroom walk to her babies crib and put him in bed with her. She then turned her back to the floor side of the bed and covered her baby with herself. Suddenly a baby crocidile arose three times from the floor and snapped his mouth each time. I awoke extreemly aware the baby was in trouble. I prayed and later on calling my friend and discribing her bedroom i had not seen and the dream she began to cry. The baby had had something wrong with breathing and had turned blue several times that night they took him into hospital next morning very early. No phone , new home, new community and yet the Lord had the line open in my sleep to pray. Its one of the most precious scary dreams I have ever experienced.The baby is now a healthy young man.
    Already a fan and FB freind and recieve letter.
    Vicky B.

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  20. My scariest dreams are when my children are in danger and I can't get to them in time.

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  21. I keep looking but I can't find a like button on Davis's FB page. I put his name in the search box and got his page but can't locate the button. Am I in the wrong spot?

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    Replies
    1. Hmmm...I'll give you credit for trying and see if I can send you a link.

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  22. I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks! Sherri christianbookreviewer at gmail dot com

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  23. I now also like Davis on Facebook. Sherri christianbookreviewer at gmail dot com

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  24. My scariest dream was one in which I was sleeping and woke up to have a burglar in the house and I was trying to figure out a way to get myself and my kids out of the house without them knowing we were there.


    Sherri christianbookreviewer at gmail dot com

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  25. I sometimes have dreams about trying to get home either by public transportation or by walking or even by a school bus and after all my effort to get there then my parents are not at home (someone else lives there) and I do not know what to do. It feels pretty frightening. I think I am still processing that my parents are no longer living.

    I would love to win the Davis Bunn book. Please enter me twice since I receive his e-mail updates.

    Blessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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