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Dream #5
Waking Dream
"Oh, God! We can hurt each other. Whatever we do to each other in the dream, we'll do it to ourselves for real..." When her own dreams are visited by a mysterious woman in a red dress, Sara realizes she has something she never expected: a counterpart, someone outside her family who shares her talent to see other people's dreams. When the woman in red keeps showing up in other dreams as well, leaving ruined lives in her wake, Sara knows she has something she never imagined: a nemesis. Now, Sara must track the woman in red down in the waking world, before she's forced to fight for her life in her dreams... ""Waking Dream" is the exciting fifth novel in the "Dreams" series.
332 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2013
10 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
J.J. DiBenedetto
33 books404 followersJ.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve university, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.
He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.
J.J. is the author of the Dream Doctor Mysteries, the Jane Barnaby Adventures and several other works.
He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.
J.J. is the author of the Dream Doctor Mysteries, the Jane Barnaby Adventures and several other works.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 6, 2016
Waking Dream is the fifth book in J.J. DiBenedetto’s Dream series. Set two years after the harrowing events of Dream Family, it portrays a pleasingly settled world where Sara and her husband move into their first real home, and their children continue to grow. Readers starting the series with this novel will find a cool blend of family drama, intriguing mystery, and a climax of rousing terror, while those familiar with the series will delight in seeing the characters (and children) grow. Sara is a very genuine narrator as she ponders the meaning of life, family, gifts, guilt and responsibility in this book. And it’s a great addition to a series that really lets its characters and ideas take flight.
Author J. J. DiBenedetto has mastered the art of seduction, providing clean but deeply enticing romantic scenes between husband and wife, and combining them with very real family life. Jobs are at risk. Spouses occasionally lock the door. Kids wake up in the night. Hard questions are asked of love and death. And wise suggestions slip naturally from the page. Meanwhile Sara slips, with her strange power, into other people’s dreams, and a woman in red might steer her into nightmares.
I love the gentle humor, genuine feelings, family romance, and deep questions of this series. Why does Sara have this power? What should she do with it? And how will she cope? Waking Dream is an enticing mystery with great character, and I’m eager for more.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.
Author J. J. DiBenedetto has mastered the art of seduction, providing clean but deeply enticing romantic scenes between husband and wife, and combining them with very real family life. Jobs are at risk. Spouses occasionally lock the door. Kids wake up in the night. Hard questions are asked of love and death. And wise suggestions slip naturally from the page. Meanwhile Sara slips, with her strange power, into other people’s dreams, and a woman in red might steer her into nightmares.
I love the gentle humor, genuine feelings, family romance, and deep questions of this series. Why does Sara have this power? What should she do with it? And how will she cope? Waking Dream is an enticing mystery with great character, and I’m eager for more.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.
November 18, 2015
This series is highly addictive and does need to be read in order for complete understanding. We follow Sara on her journey from meeting her husband to having their first children. Sara has the ability to dream walk, which can sometimes be a nightmare. Each book entails a different dream by a different character. These stories are highly addictive, the only downside is they tend to jump a year or two in between. Definitely worth the read!
April 22, 2014
“Waking Dream” is a fantastic mix of paranormal dream walking, contemporary every day events, and suspense as Sara tracks down the woman in red while juggling a new house, kids at school, holidays, and her own practice.
Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.
July 31, 2015
Ooh nice twist, someone else has Sara's powers, dreams have just got a whole lot more interesting, especially as this other person seems to be targeting Brian's dreams. Completely obsessed with this series.
September 16, 2018
I loved this book! Sara is constantly learning new things about her gift. This book was intense as you wait to see if she is going to figure out if she can figure out what is going on and save her family!
September 26, 2020
The fifth book in the Dream series by J.J. DiBenedetto. Mystery and drama combine for an entertaining read.
February 4, 2014
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sara, Brian and their family which now includes Grace, newly adopted, move into their first home. Sara slips into a dream of Brian’s and sees a mysterious woman in a red dress and realizes that she there is someone else who can visit other people’s dreams. Sara find the dream woman intruding many of Brian’s dreams and also the dreams of Brian’s boss Adrian. She discovers that the woman may be extracting information from their dreams and may have nefarious purposes. Sara wants to find out who she is and why she is manipulating the people Brian works with.
Sara’s evolution is completed in this book. She becomes a character who not only knows what the right thing is, but will do the right thing regardless of how difficult it is to achieve. Sara also becomes more aware that not everyone is like her, that some people will make decisions that benefit themselves regardless of the consequences.
The plot in this book is the most elaborate of all in the series. The author crafted the plot and the story superbly. He has the ability to create subtle nuances in the story while keeping the suspense high right up to the unexpected ending.
This book was the finest in the series and it was a pleasure to read. The interplay between characters and the suspense filled mystery was well constructed and flawless.
I would recommend this book & the series to anyone who reads paranormal, suspense, mystery and also young adult.
Sara, Brian and their family which now includes Grace, newly adopted, move into their first home. Sara slips into a dream of Brian’s and sees a mysterious woman in a red dress and realizes that she there is someone else who can visit other people’s dreams. Sara find the dream woman intruding many of Brian’s dreams and also the dreams of Brian’s boss Adrian. She discovers that the woman may be extracting information from their dreams and may have nefarious purposes. Sara wants to find out who she is and why she is manipulating the people Brian works with.
Sara’s evolution is completed in this book. She becomes a character who not only knows what the right thing is, but will do the right thing regardless of how difficult it is to achieve. Sara also becomes more aware that not everyone is like her, that some people will make decisions that benefit themselves regardless of the consequences.
The plot in this book is the most elaborate of all in the series. The author crafted the plot and the story superbly. He has the ability to create subtle nuances in the story while keeping the suspense high right up to the unexpected ending.
This book was the finest in the series and it was a pleasure to read. The interplay between characters and the suspense filled mystery was well constructed and flawless.
I would recommend this book & the series to anyone who reads paranormal, suspense, mystery and also young adult.
August 25, 2013
If you have read the other books in this series, you know the whole background of Sara and her family. Sara has the talent of "walking" into people's dreams. In this fifth book, she and her husband Brian are now new homeowners with 4 kids and a dog and all of the stressors that go with all of their hectic schedules. What really throws them for a loop is when Sara is in one of Brian's dreams and finds another dream walker, a woman in a red dress with her own devious intentions. Sara decides to find what this other dreamer is up to and realizes that whatever happens in the dream world actually happens in real life; dream walking can turn deadly. With this new dangerous twist added to the story, along with the fact that someone is trying to steal the secret details of the project he has with the Department of Defense, this book has more of a thriller/mystery/danger feel to it than the others. DiBenedetto still does a wonderful job of weaving in a little romance and touching family scenes, especially when it comes to their adopted daughter, Grace, who is quickly turning into a teenager. As with all of the other books, this one has no profanity and light romantic scenes; it would be a great read for all ages, preteen through adults. This is one of my favorite of the series. The action never stops until you hit the final page.
July 17, 2015
I received a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review.
Waking Dream is the fifth book in the Dream Series. I listened to the first two books, Dream Student and Dream Doctor, and they were okay but I liked the third book, Dream Child, the most. The fourth book, Dream Family, was my least favorite of the series because Sara, the main character, was so pitiful rather than her usual strong self. Since I feel like I know Sara and her family by now, I was still looking forward to reading the next book.
A lot of what happens in these books is about family. They're able to get through anything by sticking together and supporting each other. There are still times that Sara drives me crazy when she gets melodramatic, but this is still a good story.
Waking Dream contains a lot of drama and mystery. Someone is invading the dreams of Sara's husband, Brian, and she needs to find out who it is and why this woman in red keeps showing up. And when someone that Brian works with commits suicide, Sara knows that the woman in red has something to do it and she feels like she has to find her before she hurts someone else.
This is the first narrator of these books that I like. She has a good speaking voice with good timing.
I recommend Waking Dream and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Waking Dream is the fifth book in the Dream Series. I listened to the first two books, Dream Student and Dream Doctor, and they were okay but I liked the third book, Dream Child, the most. The fourth book, Dream Family, was my least favorite of the series because Sara, the main character, was so pitiful rather than her usual strong self. Since I feel like I know Sara and her family by now, I was still looking forward to reading the next book.
A lot of what happens in these books is about family. They're able to get through anything by sticking together and supporting each other. There are still times that Sara drives me crazy when she gets melodramatic, but this is still a good story.
Waking Dream contains a lot of drama and mystery. Someone is invading the dreams of Sara's husband, Brian, and she needs to find out who it is and why this woman in red keeps showing up. And when someone that Brian works with commits suicide, Sara knows that the woman in red has something to do it and she feels like she has to find her before she hurts someone else.
This is the first narrator of these books that I like. She has a good speaking voice with good timing.
I recommend Waking Dream and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 12, 2013
Received from: J.J. DiBenedetto (in exchange for an honest review)/ Blog Tour
“Waking Dream” is the exciting fifth novel in the “Dreams” series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Sara Alderson is once again using her abilities to dream walk in order to solve a mystery that includes military espionage and seduction! She has also learned that injuries received in the dream world, will exist in the real world when she awakes. There is another dream-walker intent on using the dream world to further her husband’s career and the woman-in-red isn’t concerned with whom she harms. Sara is focused on keeping everyone safe, but can she when faced with this villain?
While the book could stand alone, it is best if you read the series in order. Mr. DiBenedetto has once again written a story that will have you questioning what you see in your dreams at night. I loved how he interwove the Harry Potter stories into this book, providing that touch of being able to relate to the characters in this book.
I was very happy when I reached the end of the book and found out that there is going to be a sixth book in this series. I look forward to continuing this journey with Sara and the rest of the Alderson family.
Recommended for: Teens and adults
“Waking Dream” is the exciting fifth novel in the “Dreams” series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Sara Alderson is once again using her abilities to dream walk in order to solve a mystery that includes military espionage and seduction! She has also learned that injuries received in the dream world, will exist in the real world when she awakes. There is another dream-walker intent on using the dream world to further her husband’s career and the woman-in-red isn’t concerned with whom she harms. Sara is focused on keeping everyone safe, but can she when faced with this villain?
While the book could stand alone, it is best if you read the series in order. Mr. DiBenedetto has once again written a story that will have you questioning what you see in your dreams at night. I loved how he interwove the Harry Potter stories into this book, providing that touch of being able to relate to the characters in this book.
I was very happy when I reached the end of the book and found out that there is going to be a sixth book in this series. I look forward to continuing this journey with Sara and the rest of the Alderson family.
Recommended for: Teens and adults
September 20, 2014
Waking Dream is the fifth book in the Dream series. Sara is back with her husband Brian the kids and a new foe.
She also has a new narrator Pam Dougherty. Pam keeps the tone and pace of previous narrators. Her voice was close to other narrators so I easily heard Sara's voice in Pam's performance.
JJ DiBenedetto writes a story that can stand alone but also is part of bigger picture. So many authors retell previous books to catch a reader up and add chapters to the book, JJ does it gracefully and with just enough backstory to please both new and old readers.
Sara is faced with a new discovery about here dreams. This ability can influence people to act in the real world. Although Sara would never harm anyone she finds another dreamer who does. This person is out for blood and money. Will Sara find out who this second dreamer is? Can she stop them before they harm someone. The hunt is on as Sara keeps up her regular life and her dream life. Can she keep both on track and safe.
Read Waking Dream to find out what's next for Sara and her family. This Dream Series Book will not disappoint and is a great listen. I received this book as a gift for an honest review.
She also has a new narrator Pam Dougherty. Pam keeps the tone and pace of previous narrators. Her voice was close to other narrators so I easily heard Sara's voice in Pam's performance.
JJ DiBenedetto writes a story that can stand alone but also is part of bigger picture. So many authors retell previous books to catch a reader up and add chapters to the book, JJ does it gracefully and with just enough backstory to please both new and old readers.
Sara is faced with a new discovery about here dreams. This ability can influence people to act in the real world. Although Sara would never harm anyone she finds another dreamer who does. This person is out for blood and money. Will Sara find out who this second dreamer is? Can she stop them before they harm someone. The hunt is on as Sara keeps up her regular life and her dream life. Can she keep both on track and safe.
Read Waking Dream to find out what's next for Sara and her family. This Dream Series Book will not disappoint and is a great listen. I received this book as a gift for an honest review.
April 23, 2015
Once again we jump farther into the lives of Sara, Brian and their children. Both of their careers are going well, their family is thriving and their love is just as strong as the first time they met. This is a gripping storyline with some unexpected twists and turns. Someone else can enter dreams and they are using that gift to do bad things. How do you stop someone when a dream is supposed to be a dream and if you are hurt in the dream does it happen in real life? There is a lot of soul searching in this book, Sara has to come to terms with her ability and the fact that her family is not the only ones with this gift. Seeing someone else's dreams is not always fun and she has to learn to live with the consequence of acting on what she sees. This is a well written series that was very well thought out. That fact that the base of the story is the same, (seeing someone else's dreams) it does not become repetitious and we are always learning something new. I don't know how the author came up with this great idea, but I am amazed at their ability to keep your interest throughout the whole series. I eagerly await what happens next.
April 28, 2015
This series just keeps getting better and better!
This book had an entirely different element to Sara's gift. As usual, her dreams give her clues to a mystery she must solve. However this mystery is of great personal importance to not just herself, but Brian as well. There are a couple of added dimensions in this story that they discover together and take Sara's gift to a much deeper level.
The dreams are so vividly described in this one that I literally had chills reading them. Everything from the fanciful to the deadly is so exacting in detail that I could almost have had the dreams myself...but then I probably wouldn't remember them LOL
You would think reading a series about the same character, with the same gift, with the same family would get boring. But every single story line, including this one, has been completely original and had me on the edge of my seat. And while most of the story is focused on the mystery that Sara explores with her gift, her "normal" family life grows and expands with each story as well.
Can't wait to read the next one! (as if you thought I would say anything different...I'm hooked!)
This book had an entirely different element to Sara's gift. As usual, her dreams give her clues to a mystery she must solve. However this mystery is of great personal importance to not just herself, but Brian as well. There are a couple of added dimensions in this story that they discover together and take Sara's gift to a much deeper level.
The dreams are so vividly described in this one that I literally had chills reading them. Everything from the fanciful to the deadly is so exacting in detail that I could almost have had the dreams myself...but then I probably wouldn't remember them LOL
You would think reading a series about the same character, with the same gift, with the same family would get boring. But every single story line, including this one, has been completely original and had me on the edge of my seat. And while most of the story is focused on the mystery that Sara explores with her gift, her "normal" family life grows and expands with each story as well.
Can't wait to read the next one! (as if you thought I would say anything different...I'm hooked!)
May 14, 2015
When Sara dream hops into her husband Brian's dream, she sees the lady in the red dress disappear as soon as Sara notices her. Who is this woman and why is she in Brian's dream? Sara starts to see her more often, and it's not just in Brian's dreams. When information on Brian's project start to get leaked, will Sara and Brian find out who is doing it? If it's the lady in the red dress, what does she have to gain. The men on Brian's team claim that they haven't told anyone. But when Brian's boss dies, Sara realizes there is more at stake then just information being leaked. Lives are at stake now. Will Sara be able to figure out what happened before it's too late or will more people die? This is a great story that keeps you on your toes. The only thing that I found strange is that her mom and daughter didn't have any dreams that could help her this time. I want to know more about how the dream thing works. Sara does discover that she can do more in the dreams than she thought before but I want to know more about them!
September 10, 2013
I have had the honor of beta reading this whole series and all I can say is it just keeps getting better and better with each book. Change that...I can say a lot about this book and series!!
However, this book has mystery, romance, intrigue. It really pulls at your heart strings for sure. It keeps you guessing from start to finish. Just when you think you know what is going to happen next, it takes you down a whole other path which is awesome!
This is book 5 and is best if read in order because it does progress through time.
Sara Alderson and her husband, Brian, have purchased their first home together when the dreams start up again. This time though is different. There is someone else in those dreams that shouldn't be there.....things happen that shouldn't happen.... Who is the mystery dream walker now..and what does the Woman in Red intend to do.....
You'll just have to buy the book and find out!
However, this book has mystery, romance, intrigue. It really pulls at your heart strings for sure. It keeps you guessing from start to finish. Just when you think you know what is going to happen next, it takes you down a whole other path which is awesome!
This is book 5 and is best if read in order because it does progress through time.
Sara Alderson and her husband, Brian, have purchased their first home together when the dreams start up again. This time though is different. There is someone else in those dreams that shouldn't be there.....things happen that shouldn't happen.... Who is the mystery dream walker now..and what does the Woman in Red intend to do.....
You'll just have to buy the book and find out!
June 2, 2015
Sara always assumed her special gift was something only her family experienced. However, when her dreams take her into Brian's work world, she discovers a lady in a red dress has the same gift. Unfortunately, this stranger is using her powers for harm, leaving a trail of pain. Sara must figure out who this woman is and how to stop her, before her family is hurt.
The author has created a unique and fascinating plot that keeps readers intrigued through each story. The page turning suspense of this book will remind readers of the first in the series. Each book keeps getting better and readers will feel as though they are a member of Sara's family. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this latest chapter.
Notes:
The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
The author has created a unique and fascinating plot that keeps readers intrigued through each story. The page turning suspense of this book will remind readers of the first in the series. Each book keeps getting better and readers will feel as though they are a member of Sara's family. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this latest chapter.
Notes:
The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
April 10, 2016
This is the fifth book in the "Dreams" series.
We fast forward in this book, and find Sarah and Brian with a much larger family, a full house. Sara finds that she is no longer the only person who is walking into other peoples dreams. This is a BIG shock in itself, but it's much worse when she learns that this new dream walker, the lady in red, is not a good person and that what is happening in the dreams can be happening in real life.
Sara has to figure out who this woman is, what she wants, and learn how to stop her before it's too late!
I love how the stories are built on one another, and yet you can pick up in any order and not be lost.
Waking Dream will keep you turning the pages!
Very engaging and entertaining. I really enjoyed it!!
We fast forward in this book, and find Sarah and Brian with a much larger family, a full house. Sara finds that she is no longer the only person who is walking into other peoples dreams. This is a BIG shock in itself, but it's much worse when she learns that this new dream walker, the lady in red, is not a good person and that what is happening in the dreams can be happening in real life.
Sara has to figure out who this woman is, what she wants, and learn how to stop her before it's too late!
I love how the stories are built on one another, and yet you can pick up in any order and not be lost.
Waking Dream will keep you turning the pages!
Very engaging and entertaining. I really enjoyed it!!
October 20, 2014
I love the concept of the story. What happens in your dreams can hurt you or someone else. It's a very interesting subject. This is the fifth book in the series, but you can catch up quite quickly if this is the only book you read. There was not a lot of action during the first part of the book, but still awesome story telling. Once it really heats up, it's hard to stop listening to it!
The narrator did an awesome job! It was very clear know who was talking, even when the young children spoke. She would also change her voice when it was a dream, so you could differentiate between the real world and dream world very easily!
The narrator did an awesome job! It was very clear know who was talking, even when the young children spoke. She would also change her voice when it was a dream, so you could differentiate between the real world and dream world very easily!
November 19, 2015
These books continue to thrill me. Sara Alderson and her powerful, mysterious dreams keep me coming back for more each time.
This book has more than just Sara's family dreaming. There is a new, threatening dreamer. This is a threat not only to Sara and her family but to Brian's career.
I spent most of the book pondering with Sara about who this mysterious threat was. Not only did I not expect the ending, but the new abilities that Sara discovered with the dreams were completely fascinating.
I hope that this series continues to be as intriguing and exciting as the first five have been.
This book has more than just Sara's family dreaming. There is a new, threatening dreamer. This is a threat not only to Sara and her family but to Brian's career.
I spent most of the book pondering with Sara about who this mysterious threat was. Not only did I not expect the ending, but the new abilities that Sara discovered with the dreams were completely fascinating.
I hope that this series continues to be as intriguing and exciting as the first five have been.
January 26, 2015
The last in the 5 book box set the continuation of Sara's life is a good read. Both enjoyable and exciting the story line gets quite complicated in its finale. I like this writer because his books are easy reading and he doesn't have to rely on erotica or bad language to get his meanings across. I would advise anyone to read these books in sequence to get the best out of them and thoroughly recommend them for your reading shelf.
October 1, 2013
And the fun never ends! This is such a neat series. I highly recommend it.
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September 12, 2016Get my review from InD'Tale Magazine. http://indtale.com/
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