When Dreams Bleed

by Robin Cain

A software genius with a knack for business, Frank's been living the dream his whole life. He's amassed money, success, and is now accumulating women, but someone out there thinks he's gone too far. Who is seeking revenge and why? His wife? His mistress? Or the shadow who's been following his every move? Just when he thinks he has anticipated his opponent's next move a tragic car accident leaves him paralyzed, his life's work is being stolen and his wife has disappeared. Just how far will someone go to teach him the correlation between deception and despair? WHEN DREAMS BLEED examines temptation and the ensuing consequences in a contemporary world. It's no secret that dreams come at a price, but what happens WHEN DREAMS BLEED?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

366 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2009

About the author

Robin began her writing ‘career’ as a child. Penning plays for neighborhood friends’ performances, she was paid in popsicles. Though Robin’s love of plays and popsicles continued to adulthood, she concentrated on writing human-interest articles and book reviews for an online publication until a newspaper headline about a woman’s body -- found in a local lake and long unidentified -- supplied the idea for her first novel. Spurred by the question, ‘What kind of man doesn’t know his wife is missing?’, Robin wrote WHEN DREAMS BLEED.

A wife, business partner, mother, stepmother, and Ya-Ya (because she can't quite wrap her eternally youthful brain around the G-word), Robin also plays the role of alpha female to her family of horses, dogs, and a noisy donkey named Sophia. You've likely heard her bray (the donkey, not the author).

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Robin currently resides in Scottsdale, AZ with her husband – and her herd. If she’s not working on her latest story, you can find her cooking, reading, watching home improvement television shows, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to Facebook.

THE SECRET MISS RABBIT KEPT is her second novel and is now a Quarter0Finalist in the 2014 ABNA contest.

For more information, visit her website www.robincain.com

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been sitting on this review for a while now trying to figure out what I want to say about it. When I first started this book, I was already in a bad mindset because I had just finished reading two books I didn't really like, one of which I absolutely hated, plus a third book that I couldn't finish. So needless to say I wasn't in the best mood when I started this book. I was wanting this book to get me out of my slump and unfortunately it didn't.

I was wanting to like this one and the makings of a really good mystery were there. I found the storyline, overall, to be well crafted and meticulously thought out. The hard work that the author put into this is obvious on every page and I appreciate the author's abundance of talent. The complex relationships between the characters was interesting to read, and I never felt that the characters were acting in such a way that went against who they were.

Now comes the two aspects of the book I didn't care too much for and I'm afraid that it's tainted my overall impressions of the book. I'm not one that normally minds a large body count, which this book has, but when the two most important ones are done off page, I feel that the deaths don't mean as much. That there wasn't much thought put into the deaths themselves, which is a disappointment when you can read all the thought put into the rest of the story line. I'm also not a big fan of "throwaway deaths" and the one that takes place in this book cements that for me. One of the minor characters that I never really liked all that much anyway, dies in such a manner that you're left trying to figure out what the point of it was. There was no reason to kill her, and to kill her in such a way, after she finally makes a serious decision about her life, is just puzzling. Even the death of the murderer is done in such a way that I'm more confused than anything else.

The death of the killer is a nice way to bring up the second aspect of the book that I didn't quite get. While the killer is dying at the end of the book, they are talking to a picture of what I assume is long dead family member. You are supposed to understand the motivation of the killer through this conversation, but I was at more of a loss then I was before it. The motive is fuzzy and unclear to me and I'm not sure why the killer did what they did.

After all that being said, I can't say I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone else. While I may not have enjoyed it as much as I would have liked, I would feel confident that others would. The author is wonderfully talented and I will be on the lookout for her other novels.

[Diane Morasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to start off this review by saying I read this incredible page turner three times. Yes, three! Why did I read the prolific Cain's knockout debut (Hmmm... not certain I buy this is a debut from the taut, well delivered suspense de force, but it is Ms. Cain's first novel ~ or so she claims. Who am I to say. I mean, it's her story & she's sticking to it! Psst!I still think she is a literary grand dame using a pseudonym. LOL!).

When Dreams Bleed definitely showcases that Cain is a star rocketing the stratosphere.

Cain pulls you in & leaves you holding your breath from the first page. When Dreams Bleed is a well-crafted novel that doesn't need to go for over the top histrionics to weave an intriguing tale. Cain's innovatory thriller builds to a spine-tingling crescendo w/o losing rhythm.

I was mesmerized by Cain's savvy storytelling abilities. In a word: imaginative.

When Dreams Bleed is definitely going to place Cain high on the rank of novelists who create riveting mysteries. Cain's characters are intriguing, authentic three dimensional beings that explode like a Shakespearean play.

Brava to Cain for skillfully penning a lean, swift & captivating plot that doesn't give up as it reaches the end. Let's see how fast you turn the pages ;).

When Dreams Bleed is as gripping as a Sandra Brown novel. All I'm saying is, Cain has the talent to nip @ Brown's heels! I love Ms. B but competition is good for the creative soul.

Cain's symmetry of romance & machinations is a delicious blend of cunning!

When Dreams Bleed is deftly plotted w/ a twist that Cain pulls off as completely viable & ingenious! Now, you know why I reread it 3x's!

1. Blown away.
2. Wait a sec.
3. WOW!

Grab a copy of When Dreams Bleed but if you start it in the evening... plan on staying up all night long!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robin Cain successfully weaves a path through the the high-profile buzz of Hollywood and the technology business world of California dot-coms to give us an in depth, behind the scenes view of high-profile business that we mere mortals normally only catch a glimpse at in the pages of People or US Weekly.

Frank Campelletti certainly has found the fame and fortune that eludes most of us as he heads up a successful software company, MineWare, in California's silicone valley. In this tale of obsession that we are introduced to the women in his life, Sadie and Citra. Both are powerful women in their own right and it is not long before they both stamp a presence on Frank, both in business and in bed.

The too-perfect world crumbles in delusion and as the affairs and the bodies stack up. Cain leads us through the mystery challenging our ability to hang in there and second guess her as her characters have their way with us and each other.

Cain's debut novel is a well told tale, leaving us with an understanding of her writing influences. We do get a little distracted by characters that she builds up only to not use again, Jean the waitress or Hank the security guard, but perhaps that is meant as somewhat of the red-herring or just her enthusiasm for building the complete picture. In any case it is not enough of a distraction to pull us from this tale of reaching for fame and fortune.

When Dreams Bleed will leave you gasping as the mystery deepens with every turn of the page, and give you enough of a twist in the end to make you look back through it for second read trying to find clues you missed the first time.

[Nicole Hemmenway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Cain’s mystery, When Dreams Bleed, instantly captures the readers’ attention. From the first paragraph until the last sentence, this suspenseful novel left me turning the pages incessantly. I found myself transfixed in the characters and the storyline as Cain brilliantly spins a tale about money, love, success, greed, secrets and murder.

Frank Campelletti, an influential software businessman, is looking for a new corporate office when Sadie Roderick enters his life. A successful realtor and independent entrepreneur herself, neither she nor Frank was looking for love: until they met each other. Mixing work and pleasure, Frank and Sadie begin a steamy relationship that appeared to the outside world to be picture-perfect. But as acquaintances from each of their pasts resurface, their fairy tale life together is shattered. With their lies and deceit unraveling around them, dead bodies begin to turn up and lives are forever ruined.

Cain’s amazing ability to write, allows the reader to connect to the character’s world and form strong attachments with them. As the story develops, readers are left guessing who the culprit is until the last few pages of the book. When Dreams Bleed is a wonderfully written novel with a shocking outcome, sure to have readers flipping through pages to find the signs they missed.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books, even at over 300 pages, you read very quickly thanks to the suspense-filled plot. I actually read it in only three nights. The story is so multi-layered that every answer forms a new question.


There were a lot of characters, and at times I did have to take pause to review it all in my head. However, in the end, the varied point of view changes and frequent introduction of new characters only seemed to deepen the plot, digging the main character,Frank, in even deeper.


While there was a lot of romance and sexuality in the book, it was not a romance, per say, but more a mystery novel. So, if you are hoping for a happy ending, then think Edith Wharton, and get over it. I personally love Edith Wharton novels – sometimes not having any clue how the book will end heightens the excitement of reading it. I feel Robin Cain did a great job of creating this story, keeps the reader on their toes, and paints an appropriate and believable tale of what it can be like today in big business - of the price one can pay to get it all.

[A.F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex describes the novel, When Dreams Bleed by Robin Cain. Complex characters with complex relationships are threaded through lies and deception. The plot weaves a gripping story where people and events are not what they seem on the surface.

The book tells the story of Frank Campelletti's messy relationships with two women, Sadie and Citra, and the sad consequences that arise from the choices all three make. Their secrets lead to mysteries, violence and tragedy.

The story that unfolds on the pages is self-assured, artful and well crafted, but the characterizations are the true prize of this book. The author has created some authentic people, full of flaws, lies and bad choices. There are bold plot choices that truly resonate emotionally.

I had some quibbles with minor plot threads left unaddressed or that end abruptly, but none of these issues formed any gaping holes in structure. Overall, the book flows smoothly, engages your interest and you are inescapably drawn into the lives of these characters and all their troubles. I can happily recommend this book.

[KCM73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The focus of this novel is a software magnate named Frank Campelleti, whose life at the beginning of the book seems like one of dreams -- he is hugely successful, rich, powerful and handsome and the world is at his fingertips. He marries a woman in Vegas almost on a whim and then attempts to juggle his wife, his work and his girlfriend. As the book progresses, Frank is subjected to a series of incidents that make his life worse and worse, making him wonder whether he is being punished for his prior bad acts and wanton ways. The premise of the book is solid but the narrative is a little disjointed at points. The book is told from the perspective of a variety of different characters and jumps around with respect to different plot lines in a way that interrupts the flow of the narrative. Overall, an interesting and enjoyable read but not the book for you if you are looking for a happy ending.

[Cheryl Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Dream Bleed" was a great blend of mystery and romance. The further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down. The author did a good job of developing her female characters and planting the seeds for her whodunit, but I thought she could have done more to help us understand her male lead. He was the central figure around which this entire mystery revolved, but I felt I understood his motivations the least. Knowing I'm a bit anal, particularly about mysteries, there were a couple inconsistencies in the story and there was a chapter at the end of one of the sections that I found contributed nothing to the story, but I found that even with these little issues, the book was still an enjoyable read. Robin did her due diligence in researching her subject matter, making the entire book believable. I'll look forward to more of her work."

[Suzy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dreams Bleed is a great suspense book. There are twists and turns throughout the whole book, until the very end--obviously a sign of a good suspense book! I couldn't put it down--another sign of a wonderful book. The characters and relationships are real also. No cookie cutter people, who are secondary to the plot; they're believable. I could picture them as if they were on the screen.

I'm an eclectic reader and it's been a long time since I've read suspense books, but this was the perfect book with which to get back into that genre. I'm so glad my friend suggested it to me! Read it... you'll stay up all night 'til you finish it too!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Cain's debut novel, When Dreams Bleed, is a well-written, engrossing tale of the consequences we must pay for the choices we make in life and the unknown part other's actions can play in changing our lives forever. Robin's writing style is a pleasure to read and her storytelling is equal to the best. This novel is definitely a page turner. I was impressed by the extensive amount of research she has done to make the story believable, it shows that she cares. I'm looking forward to reading her next novel.